Body and Soul

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Bookies B @BookiesBeat Jan 27, 2026 One of John Garfield's best performances. See more nick s @Nick_S Apr 28, 2024 Good quality production with a capable cast. The story did feel a little boxed in as there weren't too many places it could go. But the delivery made up for it. See more Taylor L @RT77267842 Dec 21, 2022 "You better buy a gun and shoot yourself." "You need money to buy a gun." Fresh off a viewing of the crowd-pleasing boxing film Somebody Up There Likes Me, the tougher nature of this more brutal take on the fighting world has aged far better by comparison. Body and Soul takes the standard approach of the boxing flick - a young upstart climbing the ranks - but takes cues from the noir films that were in vogue in the '40s. Instead of a tale of inspirational doggedness, this Robert Rossen film is a dark (if somewhat unsurprising) tale of ambition, corruption, and dishonesty in the face of personal gain. John Garfield's Charley Davis comes from a tough background, a young man who wants to make his fortune rather than keep his nose to the grindstone of a middle-class life, alienating himself from his conservative parents despite wanting the best for them. From there, he makes his way in the world but gradually attracts a crowd of hangers-on leeching off his success and coaxing him away from what was once a firm internal compass, until he no longer recognizes himself. On paper, the film sounds like a standard morality tale right at home in every family household, but there's more moral sludge than you might expect and the protagonist's failure to recognize himself in the mirror as the film goes on feels compelling. In addition, there are great pieces besides the screenplay (which got an Oscar nod), in particular the excellent cinematography from the legendary James Wong Howe and a brilliant and heart-wrenching supporting turn from pioneering actor Canada Lee. Flailing in the ring seeing visions of his past self, the betrayal and untimely demise of Lee's former champ hits harder than the actual finale. If you make a bulleted list of the plot points in this film, there's hardly anything that you won't find in other boxing flicks, but the script and tone are head and shoulders above most of the imitators. (3.5/5) See more Ed M @RT80499164 Dec 5, 2021 Hokey and melodramatic. You've seen it a million times. See more Feb 11, 2021 Every aspect of this film floored me. James Wong Howe visuals, John Garfield, Lilli Palmer and the rest if the cast's performances, and Abraham Polanski's script are all knockouts. Robert Rossen directed only ten pictures, this his second, might be his best. He also directed The Hustler and All The King's Men. See more steve d @RT35616104 Jul 22, 2020 The story isn't great but the acting is fantastic. See more Read all reviews

Body and Soul

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