Watch Play it to the Bone

Play it to the Bone is a 1999 sports comedy-drama film that stars Woody Harrelson, Antonio Banderas, and Lolita Davidovich. Directed by Ron Shelton, the movie tells the story of two buddy boxers who get the opportunity to fight for a heavyweight championship belt in Las Vegas. The film portrays the ups and downs of a professional boxing career, the strong bond between two friends, and their struggles to make it to the top.

The movie begins with the two boxers, Cesar Dominguez (Banderas) and Vince Boudreau (Harrelson), living in Los Angeles, struggling to make ends meet. The two friends are low-ranking fighters and are barely able to make any money from their matches. However, one day they receive an unexpected call from a promoter, who offers them a fight in Las Vegas. The fight is for the undercard of a world championship match, and the winner will get a shot at the heavyweight belt. The catch? They have to be in Las Vegas in under 24 hours, which means a wild road trip through the desert.

As the two fighters travel to Las Vegas with their mutual friend, Grace (Davidovich), tensions arise as both fighters are in love with Grace. The trip turns chaotic, with the trio facing various obstacles and delays in getting to Vegas on time. Along the way, they also come across a hitchhiking prostitute, Lia (Lucy Liu), who adds further chaos to their journey.

Once they finally make it to Las Vegas, Cesar and Vince are surprised to learn that they are not fighting each other, as they had anticipated. Instead, they are fighting separate opponents on the same undercard. The film then depicts their preparation for their respective fights, how they bond over the shared experience, and the emotional highs and lows that accompany their boxing careers.

Play it to the Bone is a remarkable film that showcases the colorful and often harsh reality of boxing. The movie provides an honest portrayal of the struggles faced by professional fighters, as well as the bond that develops between people who put their lives on the line in the ring. The breathtaking scenes of the fighters in action are a highlight of the movie and are shown in great detail, capturing the strength and power of the sport.

The relationship between Cesar and Vince is the heart of the movie, and both Banderas and Harrelson deliver powerful performances that make the characters feel genuine, earning audience empathy. The chemistry between the two actors is fantastic, and their comic timing and delivery add a lightness and wit to the movie. Lolita Davidovich's performance as Vince and Cesar's friend and manager, Grace, is excellent. She provides a solid counterbalance to the film's light comedic elements, playing the voice of reason to the two fighters.

The film also provides a great supporting cast, including Tom Sizemore, who plays the role of boxing promoter Joe Domino, and Robert Wagner, who plays the heavyweight champ himself.

In addition to the sports drama aspect of the film, there are many comedic moments in Play it to the Bone that are both well-written and well-executed. The script is sharp and witty, and the dialogue between the characters is fantastic. At times, the film veers off into a more absurd territory, especially when the group meets Lia, but somehow it manages to balance the humor and drama gracefully.

Overall, Play it to the Bone is a well-rounded and highly entertaining movie, with great performances from a talented cast. The film does not try to sugarcoat the harsh realities of the boxing world or the problematic relationships between the characters, but it manages to highlight the strength of friendship amidst adversity. It is a must-see for any sports movie buff.

Play it to the Bone is a 2000 comedy with a runtime of 2 hours and 4 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 32.