Thursday, March 28, 2024

Cannes: Standing Ovation for Robert DeNiro in Roberto Duran Boxing Movie

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20160516_220614Thirty six years after Robert DeNiro made film history as famed boxer Jake LaMotta in “Raging Bull,” he returned to Cannes in triumph as boxing coach to Roberto Duran in “Hands of Stone.”

Harvey Weinstein jumps back in the Oscar race with this very exciting extremely well made film starring DeNiro, Edgar Ramirez, and a cool cast that includes Ellen Barkin and Turturro. Usher– that’s right, Usher– the pop r&B star– makes a huge impression playing boxer Sugar Ray Leonard. Usher has had screen roles but this is like a startling debut. Beautiful job.

20160516_221112Tonight’s Cannes screening was also part of a star studded black tie tribute to DeNiro. I’ll have video in the morning from the event. There were emotional and funny speeches from Weinstein and DeNiro, with humorous hosting by Cannes festival director Thierry Fremaux.

Meantime Hands of Stone feels like a real movie, the kind that gets awards but you recommend to friends. It’s funny and dramatic and substantial. Its August 26th release can’t come fast enough.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
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