Prospects, 2013.
Directed by Sebastian Duthy.
SYNOPSIS:
A documentary charting two boys’ struggle to reach the top of the amateur boxing world and the difficulties and successes that they experience over four years…
Boxing in all its excitement, unpredictability and obvious risks is explored expressively in this well produced documentary. Following two young East London fighters, George Kean and Marlon Mellish, the film casts an uncritical look at the extreme ups and downs of the amateur sport.
Shot over four seasons, the film manages to convey effectively the hopes and fears experienced by these two young men. Marlon in particular, suffers troubling health problems undoubtedly linked to the sport. After all, getting repeatedly hit in the head every few months won’t do a lot of good for general fitness.
In one of the most thought provoking sections, Marlon’s cousin explains the consistent headaches and fainting fits that the young fighter has dealt with. He is sent for an MRI scan and is grudgingly declared fit for further bouts. The half-disappointed neurologist comments that he doesn’t suppose he can persuade him to stop boxing.
This aspect is dealt with admirable honesty by all involved, and the general feeling seems to be that pain, health worries and intense risks are all part of the game. While there is a market for it, they will continue to put up with the threats.
To families raised on the rules of the Marquis of Queensbury, it is just another part of their lives. George comments that boxing is a job; you accept the risks when you take a job. And exciting well paid jobs might not come around quite so easily…
As an old trainer comments in Tenerife, if you happen to be from their world you’d better hope “to be a good boxer, or a good thief.” The film resounds with hard-nosed sound bites such as this and there is little doubt in their sincerity – it’s a hard life, and everyone knows it. The reality might be somewhat different, but who’s going to argue?
The bouts themselves are captured solidly and proficiently. The slow-slow-fast actions of the fights are well highlighted, while paranoid music with a distinctly dubstep influence blasts out across the ring.
Overall it’s not quite a knockout, bruising slightly from a repetition of style – interviews, bouts then more interviews etc, but anyone with the slightest interest in boxing and communities will take something from this.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: N/A
Robert W Monk is a freelance journalist and film writer.
Originally published July 4, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
