Breakinger
A Brilliant Conflict
Calum Hutton
It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...
merklekranz
Following a well worn cliché path, "Split Decisions" is far from original, nevertheless I found it entertaining. The three generations of Irish boxers seem to be in constant turmoil, but in the end stand together nicely. Gene Hackman is not the star here, even with top billing. It is Craig Sheffer and Jeff Fahey, as Hackman's sons, who carry the film. Jennifer Beals really has nothing to do, and is totally wasted. Character development is good, and the truncated boxing scenes are exciting............................. If you are willing to accept this revenge in the ring film for what it is, it is very watchable. - MERK
bkoganbing
I'm really amazed at some of the reviews I've read on this film. It's not the greatest boxing film ever made, still it portrays both the good and the seamier side of the sport. It's a low level Rocky with a touch of an old James Cagney-Pat O'Brien film, The Irish In Us.The idea that even a top amateur can step into the ring with a ranked professional contender in his division and beat him is nonsense. What The Irish In Us had was James Cagney as the MANAGER stepping into the ring when his fighter is injured and beating the welterweight champion for the title. Next to that Split Decisions is positively realistic.What's nice here is the relationship of the three generations of boxers in the McGuinn family. Grandfather John McLiam, Father Gene Hackman, and sons Craig Sheffer and Jeff Fahey. When Fahey stands up to mobster James Tolkan and refuses to throw a fight to his boy Eddie Velez, he's worked over and then accidentally killed. Sheffer steps in for his slain brother.Though the McGuinns fight with each other a bit, they do stick together in a crisis. In its way Split Decisions is a boxing fantasy, much like the highly acclaimed Rocky. Not bad entertainment either.This review is dedicated to McKennon Wimberly of the Professional Bull Riders who did some amateur boxing himself and shows the same heart riding bulls as Craig Sheffer did in this film.
angelsunchained
Spilt Decisions seemed to have had an outstanding cast which should have made this a really good, if not great movie. However, Split Decision turned out to be a dismal failure. The script was ripe with overly stereotyping. The plot line was unbelievable. The acting was over the top and lacked any real emotion or reality. The beautiful, talented, and sexy Jennifer Beals was completely wasted in this mess, as was the legendary Gene Hackman. It seemed that everyone was just going through the motions. I don't know if this movie was a hit at the box-office, but I honestly can't believe it was. If you're a Hackman fan, go rent Bonnie and Clyde, The French Connection, or I Never Sang For My Father, to see Hackman's true acting worth. If you love a great boxing flick, you're better off renting Fat City, The Champion (Kirk Douglas), ROCKY, or Body and Soul (John Garfield), and pass on this major failure of a film.
giraudel
Eddie McGuinn is a young amateur boxer who's good enough for the Olympics. His brother Ray also boxes, but he's an egotistical hothead who aligns himself with lowlifes. When the mob tells Ray to lose a fight against "Snake" Pedroza, he refuses, and is killed by mafia thugs and Pedroza himself. As a result, Eddie decides to put his Olympic dreams behind and turn pro so he can fight Pedroza himself, and avenge his brother's death.Simply it is amazing, it may not be one of Hackman's best known films but it is one of his best. A must see.
