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A real-life comeback story plays out according to formula in "Bleed for This," a boxing tale where the best stuff is outside the ring.
Vinny Pazienza (played by Miles Teller) was, in 1988 (when the film starts), a trash-talking junior middleweight champ whose biggest problem was slimming down to stay in his weight class. In 1992, a car crash left Vinny with a broken neck, and doctors said he'd be lucky to walk again, let alone fight.
Opting against spinal fusion surgery, Vinny wore a halo device for six months that kept his head and neck from moving. Even with the halo screwed into his skull, he was determined to fight again and cajoled his trainer Kevin Rooney (Aaron Eckhart) to monitor his workouts.
Director-screenwriter Ben Younger ("Boiler Room") follows the inspirational-sports-drama blueprint exactly, centering on Vinny's relationships with Rooney and with his parents (Ciaran Hinds and Katey Sagal). The boxing sequences are by-the-numbers, but Teller's performance is solid as he captures Vinny's overconfident bluster before the accident and his gutsy determination after.
'Bleed for This'
Opening Friday, Nov. 18, in theaters everywhere; rated R for language, sexuality/nudity and some accident images; 116 minutes.