Jump to the good stuff: The Story | Some Thoughts | The Final Verdict
The Story:
Punch is a drama about a teenage boxer, Jim (Jordan Oosterhof), who is training for an important upcoming fight. His father, Stan (Tim Roth), a former professional boxer, is his trainer and manager. Stan is also an alcoholic with terminal cancer. Although his doctor tells him to talk to his son about his diagnosis, Stan fears that telling him will jeopardize the upcoming big fight.
When Jim isn’t training, he takes video of nature and puts it to music. One day while he’s filming at the beach, he gets stung by a jellyfish and Whetu (Conan Hayes), a fellow high school student who is ostracized for being gay, helps him recover. They begin talking and quickly become friends. Soon they start spending time together and Jim realizes that he may also be gay.
Meanwhile, Jim is approached by two boxing promoters who want to help him take his career to the next level. Although Jim is interested in what they can do for him, he’s apprehensive about parting with his father and allowing them to manage every aspect of his career, including his training.
What follows is a film about a teenager forced to make important life choices that impact not only himself, but also the people he cares most about.
Some Thoughts:
Punch is a well-made film with an interesting premise and a story that suffers from too much going on. It’s a shame because the acting, cinematography, and pacing are all well done. Also, the characters are realistic, as is the setting.
Since the film is mainly about a young man coming of age, the story about the promotors feels a bit unnecessary. I get that writer/director Welby Ings is using it as a way to force Jim into making difficult choices, but it distracts from the central theme, especially since it’s Stan’s drinking that’s causing the rift between them. Relegating the promotors’ story to the background would make the movie feel more focused.
Also, because the story spends so much time with the boxing promotors, we never get a firm understanding of Whetu’s situation. The reason for him residing in a shack on the beach is a little vague. It’s not his full-time residence, so why does he have this weird living situation? It’s never fully explained.
While it’s a decent movie, it would have been so much better if the story had been more streamlined.
The Final Verdict:
Punch is a well-made film that’s worthy of your time despite its lack of focus.