The Good Son: The Life of Ray Boom Boom Mancini (2013) User Reviews

Excellent documentary of fathers and sons and forgiveness

[juneebuggy · 8/10 · 14 June 2015]

This was a surprisingly good documentary, engaging, captivating and really drawing the viewer into the life story of Ray Mancini. It opens with Mickey Rourke discussing why he was in awe of Ray, how exciting and action packed his fights were. We also hear from Sugar Ray Leonard and Ed O'Neill -who seemed kind of random if I'm honest.

This profiles Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, focusing on his personal account into the tragic aftermath of his match against Duk-Koo-Kim, a Korean boxer he fought 30 years previously who died of injuries sustained in the ring.

We also learn of Kim's impoverished upbringing in Korea and meet his wife and son Jiwan who was born after his death. Jiwan never felt his father's touch and lives in his shadow much as Ray did with his own father.

The finally scene has Ray meeting with Kim's wife and son. It's beyond powerful and almost brought me to tears as they share stories, tears and a meal. Bringing forgiveness.

A Brutally Honest Film about an Honorable Man in a Brutal Sport

[davecosdesign · 9/10 · 4 July 2014]

Ray Mancini.

The very name conjures memories of CBS Sports Sunday where his bouts were spotlighted on his road to a championship belt. The hyperbole was simple and yet perfect: young man makes promise to his one-time contender father to capture the prize never afforded to the older man.

The ratings soared and Mancini, boxing perceived next major personality, was positioned to become the next multimillion dollar box draw ala' Muhammad Alia and Sugar Ray Leonard.

This path that was waylaid, sidetracked and ultimately destroyed by Mancini's fight with Du Koo Kim. The bout is remembered only for it's tragic end and not for the unbelievable heart, desire and will exhibited by the two opponents.

"The Good Son" strips away much of the network television hype that surrounded Mancini's rise and bears witness to the harsh economic realities of Youngstown, Ohio at the time, the senior Mancini's issues with alcohol and Ray's older brother Lenny.

The film also parallels the hard scrabble beginnings of Duk Ku Kim; his life, dreams and ambitions. The film makes it a point to show that both Mancini and Kim had more in common than many would know.

Many can trace boxing's decline as a sport from this one fight. The fact that millions of people watched the fight and then its attendant tragic result likely made fight fans question their attraction to such a brutal sport.

Aside from the economic fallout the befell boxing, the film is candid and upfront of the lasting impact the fight has had on Mancini and Kim's family.

While the years have been kind to Mancini and his faculties seem intact, there is air of sadness and reflection in Mancini's eyes and voice. The young all-American boy has matured to a man that still bears guilt and scars from that fight so long ago. This sadness is a testament to his character and the shallowness and callowness of the general public who continue to needle and vex Mancini with comments and questions about the fight to this day.

The one drawback to the film for me was the presence of Bob Arum, Mancini's promoter at the time. Arum comes across as insincere and self-righteous. His attacks against the World Boxing Association (WBA) goes against the common perception at the time: the WBA was used by Arum to gain title fights for fighters promoted by Arum while the World Boxing Council (WBC) was used by promotional rival Don King to stage his world title fights. The film could have done just as well without Arum.

That the film can end on such a note of reconciliation and hope for Mancini, his family and Kim's family is a testament to the human spirit. I highly recommend this documentary not just for fight game fans, but for people of all ages who want to explore the human condition and the realities of life after death.

Respect to Mancini, his family and Kim's family.

Knock out

[gelvisblue · 8/10 · 2 May 2021]

Great documentary, giving a fascinating insight into the lives and the journeys of two boxers who meet finally in a fateful encounter in the ring. Very emotionally charged and life affirming. Loved the connection between the families involved. So human and beautiful. Great input from boxing legends.

Very well done, even exceptional

[bobshankjr-2 · 10/10 · 19 August 2014]

Even if you're not a boxing fan (I used to be), you'll find this extremely well-done, well-documented and emotionally-moving exposure of the classic 'Mancini-Kim' fight on Nov 18th, 1982 at Ceasar's Palace in Las Vegas. And, the long-lived, cross-Pacific aftermath-and-travel for Kim's family to visit Ray for a decent dose of closure with him. If you chose to watch, consider it a self-propelled 'gift' to yourself within your recent viewings. I was 'riveted' during my own, and remain so even after the credits disappeared from the screen today. Keep a hankie nearby, you'll need it. One of the best I've seen. ~Bob Shank, Tucson AZ

It's all about Heart- in spades...

[poe426 · 10/10 · 30 June 2014]

The airing of a Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini fight was always a good reason for a family get-together. Mancini had nothing if not Heart- in spades. His determination to make good on the promise to his father guaranteed that every fight would be an all-out, non-stop assault from the opening bell. The fight with Kim would test his mettle in more ways than one. It was- again- a non-stop, toe to toe affair. And Kim turned out to have been cut from the very same cloth as Mancini himself: he, too, had Heart- in spades. The most moving part of this look back at Mancini's career is the aftermath of the Kim fight and Mancini's eventual face-to-face meeting with Kim's son, Jiwan, and Kim's widow. If you're a boxing fan or just a connoisseur of great documentaries, you can't afford to miss THE GOOD SON.

Left out his 1st title fight

[jhnmor · 4/10 · 4 November 2019]

Good movie but they left out his first title shot against Alexis Arguello That's a total insult to Alexis who was a legendary fighter Mancini was always protected. Mancini was a good fighter but just that