Festival scheduling can be difficult, with overlaps and conflicts ruining even the noblest of intentions. And thus, we were slightly bummed to miss Stephen Frears‘ “Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight” at the Cannes Film Festival this May. At least at first. Word on the picture was muted at best, and it’s safe to say it barely made a ripple on the Croisette. But perhaps this story of an American icon will play better at home than abroad? Well, in just a couple months, you’ll be able to judge for yourself.
The first teaser for the HBO Film is here, and admittedly, it doesn’t do much to dispel the notion that it’s not a stuffy drama with a bunch of dudes sitting in rooms. That’s right, ‘Fight’ doesn’t really have any boxing in it, instead focusing to choose on the pugilist’s court battle when he refused to go to Vietnam, focusing in particular on the relationship between Justice Harlan (Christopher Plummer) and his clerk (Benjamin Walker). So you might see how this title might be a bit deceptive.
Regardless, we’ll give it a fair shake when the time comes. “Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight” airs on HBO on Saturday, October 5th at 9 PM. [Bleeding Cool]
