Review: Roberto Duran biopic lacks finishing punch

“Hands of Stone”

Rated R (1:45)

**

Opens today

Whatever the highest-grossing movie of all time is in Panama, “Hands of Stone” deserves to break that record by a factor of 10.

It embraces the point of view of boxer Roberto Duran to extremes, always telling his story with the Panamanian flag up front and the American flag looking a little more ominous in the distance. Even if the film didn’t include a single fight, the movie’s unique perspective would be enough to hold viewer attention.

But beyond that bold approach, and a few good performances, “Hands of Stone” is a thoroughly mediocre sports movie. Viewers learn about Duran and Panamanian political history through a haze of cinematic distractions, most of which are problems of tone and execution. In boxing terms, the filmmakers throw a lot of haymakers that don’t connect.

Duran, portrayed during his boxing years by Edgar Ramirez, is regarded by boxing historians as one of the best fighters ever. Less-informed fans know Duran for his lowest moment: quitting in the middle of his second fight against Sugar Ray Leonard.

“Hands of Stone” makes that fight the centerpiece of the film, laying out a convincing case that his alleged plea for “no mas” — Duran has always denied he said those words — was the result of a no-win situation sparked by promoter-influenced greed.

Duran is no saint in “Hands of Stone,” a writing decision that elevates the movie and the character. The boxer’s abusive and petulant edge is softened by Ray Arcel (Robert De Niro), a famous trainer in his winter years. Arcel’s strong moral code and calm demeanor give Duran the father figure he needs.

Beyond De Niro’s all-in commitment to Arcel’s graying, balding head, neither actor ever seems completely absorbed in the character. But they successfully sell the chemistry between Duran and Arcel, who have reasons to be wary of each other, but bond over their futile struggle to keep the sport pure.

While the central relationship is solid, the distractions are plentiful. Jonathan Jakubowicz writes and directs the biopic with the one-note comic characters and manipulative musical score of a PG-rated Disney sports film, then inserts the sudden violence, seemingly gratuitous R-rated sex scenes and the language of Brian De Palma when he’s in a dark place. Think “The Mighty Scarface Ducks.”

Beyond the attempts at authenticity in Panama, the movie is less a story than a series of boxes to be checked. The cliche-driven narrative only spotlights the clunky dialogue. While the faces of Ramirez, De Niro and others try to sell lines such as “luck is a woman you must learn to seduce,” their eyes issue apologies.

The boxing scenes are also frustrating — especially after the pioneering ring work in last year’s superb “Creed.” Jakubowicz shoots the fights with the quick and confusing edits of a Michael Bay car chase. The sounds of blows landing and arms being twisted are exaggerated, like raw chickens being torn apart.

More successful are the myriad cameos, with everyone from Ray Charles to Don King to Howard Cosell getting a good impersonator to deliver a few lines. Singer-dancer Usher is inspired casting as Leonard, and he helps sell the complicated relationship with Duran, especially how the flashy American must have looked to the more primal and impulsive Panamanian boxer.

But like everyone else in “Hands of Stone,” they get stuck in a film that can’t decide whether it wants to be “Raging Bull” or “Remember the Titans.” In the end, it’s a little too much of both.