By opening the movie up with the managers, the director is ultimately letting the audience know that the movie will be veering off course from a typical boxing film format (in which the plot focuses on the boxer). In a post titled Hook them Early, The Importance of An Opening Scene by writer Zac Hogle, Hogle says "One of the most important moments in film is the opening scene. Ending scenes, plot twists and other elements all leave the lasting impression, but you only get one opportunity to hook an audience." This movie offers something different to it's audience by highlighting the men behind the boxer, and that's where the director successful "hooks" his audience.
I think this quote is important because it shows just how different this movie is. The gangsters are back at it again and they leave the audience shocked when it is revealed what Toro truly was working for. Something I like about the way this scene is set up is the fact that there is an extreme amount of build up to the big money reveal. The audience is on their toes, and once it is revealed, the audience reacts with an emotion. It is an effective delivery method because it helps evoke an audience response. The viewer is expecting the boxer to make more money than the journalist, and yet he doesn't. While researching facts about this film, I came across something called The Ali Act. According to Wikipedia, "The Act was enacted in response to widespread abuse of boxers by means of exploitation, rigged rankings, and rigged matches." If it weren't for films like these, I would have never known about the certain abuse these performers undergo. I think this is what is most effective about The Harder They Fall. This film truly introduces a relationship the audience probably hasn't seen before, and it helps raise awareness for the issue. Overall, The Harder They Fall draws attention to the corrupt world of boxing that a normal audience wouldn't normally see. Instead of focusing on the boxer, Robson zeros in on the person who sees both sides of the boxing world, and is ultimately able to provide his audience a new view of the sport. Through the use of the characters and setting, The Harder They Fall truly captivates the aggressive managers and tells a story of the unfairness the world of boxing has to offer.
1 Comment
Austin Fritsch
11/30/2016 11:40:13 am
I like how you discussed the build up to the scene where Eddie finds out that Toro had been cheated out of his cut. When I first saw this film, i was definitely anxious to see what would happen on their payday, knowing that gangsters are typically unfair and play by their own rules.
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