Main Cast: Jimmy Smits, Jon Seda, Clifton Collins, Jr., Maria Del Mar, Sal Lopez
Release Year: 2000
Country: US
Run Time: 118 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
Jimmy Smits returned to the big screen after a career-reviving stint on the TV series NYPD Blue with this emotional drama about the difficult relationship between a father and his sons. Smits plays Arturo Ortega, a man with lifelong dreams of being a contender in professional boxing. While Arturo had the knowledge, drive, and ambition to be a champ, his career proved short-lived, and, after a brief fling with success, he's a forgotten man. However, Arturo has instilled his passion for boxing in his three sons, who grow up learning the fine art of prizefighting. All three boys begin competing in the ring, with Arturo as their manager and coach, but Johnny (Jon Seda) quickly shows so much promise that other managers and promoters want to take over his contract and put him on the fast track to the championship. Arturo feels betrayed when Johnny wants to work with another manager, while his other two sons resent Johnny for turning his back on his father and wish Arturo had the same belief in their talents in the ring. The debut feature from director Carlos Avila and screenwriter Phil Berger, Price of Glory also features Maria Del Mar, Ron Perlman, Paul Rodriguez, and Clifton Collins Jr.. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
This attempt to create a multi-generational Latino sports saga sprawls at times in an attempt to encompass an enormous amount of narrative and character development, but a mostly solid performance from lead Jimmy Smits anchors the proceedings. In his debut feature, director Carlos Avila makes conservative use of his camera, putting the actors front and center. While at times his portrayal of Arturo Ortega strays into self-conscious theatricality, and his accent waxes and wanes, Smits stretches in his role. In a return to feature films after several years in the hit TV series NYPD Blue, Smits strives with real effort to create subtle nuances in his portrait of a King Lear-like patriarch whose pride spells his family's doom. A notable performance is also delivered by actor John Seda, who ably conveys a fierce independence, fueled by anger and longing, in his supporting role. The Price of Glory runs into trouble only with its predictable and hackneyed script, which piles cliché upon cliché from other sports and family drama films, the film's message becoming diluted because of the source material's lack of originality. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
Louis Mandylor - Davey Lane; Danielle Camastra - Mariella Cruz; Ernesto Hernandez - Johnny Ortega; Paul Rodriguez - Pepe; Ron Perlman - Nick Everson; John Capodice - Priest; Tony Genaro - Malave; Zitto Kazann - Dr. Cardinal; John La Fayette - Dr. Bill Ward; Clayton Landey - Boxing Official; Jeff Langton - Referee; Jimmy Lennon, Jr. - Ring Announcer; William Marquez - Machado; Patrick Outlaw - Dupree; Carlos Palomino - Oscar; Jack Rader - Marata; Bill M. Ryusaki - Silver Gloves Official; John Verea - Azamar; Matthew Kimbrough - TV Announcer; Tom Simmons - Salesman; Muni Zano - Chivo; Katrina Gibson - Young Rita Ortega; Jose Yenque - The Hood; Noel Guglielmi - Angel; Gilbert R. Leal - Young Johnny Ortega; Ulysses Cuadra - Young Sonny Ortega; Mario Esquivel - Young Jimmy Ortega; Matt Cedeno - Young Arturo Ortega; Irene De Bari - Mrs. Cruz; Paco Farias - Luis Cruz; Joshua Ponce De Leon - Little Oscar; Harley Rodriguez - Young Hector Salmon; Michelle Bonilla - Grace Chavez; Craig Love - Rex Macon; Leyna Nguyen - TV Newscaster; Ernesto Macias - Saraceno; Larry Strauss - Ringside Doctor
Credit
Rick Pagano - Casting, Ruth E. Carter - Costume Designer, Ricardo Mendez Matta - First Assistant Director, Carlos Avila - Director, Joseph Julian Gonzalez - Editor, Loretha C. Jones - Executive Producer, Morris Ruskin - Executive Producer, Carolyn Manetti - Executive Producer, Stephanie Striegel - Executive Producer, Laurie Wagman - Executive Producer, Joseph Julian Gonzalez - Composer (Music Score), Margaret Guerra Rogers - Musical Direction/Supervision, Michael Levine - Camera Operator, Richard Lacy - Camera Operator, Robb Wilson King - Production Designer, Affonso Beato - Cinematographer, Moctesuma Esparza - Producer, Robert Katz - Producer, Arthur E. Friedman - Producer, Lance Lombardo - Set Designer, Pamela Klamer - Set Designer, Stephen Halbert - Sound/Sound Designer, Benny Urquidez - Stunts Coordinator, Phil Berger - Screenwriter, Nick McLean - First Assistant Camera, Nick McClean - First Assistant Camera, Nino Neuboeck - First Assistant Camera, Susan Chernus - First Assistant Editor, Felipe Reinheimer - Second Assistant Camera, Thomas Jones - ADR Supervisor, Peter Halbert - Cable Person, Javier M. Hernandez - Cable Person, Lucy Sustar - Foley Mixer, C.W. Jones - Foley Mixer, Gary Burritt - Negative Cutter, Kona Cutting - Negative Cutter, Noella Barb - Set Medic/First Aid, Adrianne Vest - Set Medic/First Aid, Rafael Castro - Video Assist, Amy Martin - Art Department Coordinator, Mike Coryman - Painter
Arturo Ortega, a man with enduring aspirations of being a competitor in professional boxing. While Arturo had the intellect, ambition, and agility to be a professional, his career proved to be a short one, and, after a living out his fifteen minutes of fame, he’s washed up. However, Arturo has instilled his passion for boxing in his three sons, who have grown up learning all about the world of prizefighting. The three boys begin competing in the ring, with Arturo as their manager and coach, but Johnny swiftly displays so much promise that other managers and promoters want to take over his contract and put make him the next boxing champion. Arturo feels let down when Johnny decides that he wants to work with another manager, while his other two sons rail against Johnny for turning his back on his father and hope Arturo has the same conviction in their talents in the ring.[1]
Box office
The film grossed $3,440,228 in the United States and $108,328 in the foreign markets.[2] This made the film a large financial failure.
Critical Reception
The film was not well received by critics when it was released in March 2000. Film critic Roger Ebert gave the film a rating of two stars out of a possible four saying, "The film made me feel like I was sitting in McDonald's watching some guy shout at his kids." Marc Savlov of the Austin Chronicle said of the film "It is a TKO before it even had a chance to get off a decent hook."[3]Price of Glory currently has a rating of 32 out of 100 on the popular website, Metacritic.[4] The film has a 30% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[5]
