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Hands of Stone
2016 111 min Panama, United States of America R 18+
★6.1
Drama
Director: Jonathan Jakubowicz
Trailers
Description
The legendary Roberto Duran and his equally legendary trainer Ray Arcel change each other's lives.
Budget:
$20M
US Gross:
$4.71M
Worldwide:
$5M
Starring
Edgar Ramírez
Actor
Usher
Actor
Robert De Niro
Actor
Awards
2 wins total
Key opinion
Hands of Stone is a technically competent boxing biopic that benefits from a strong cast but ultimately falters due to a disjointed narrative. While the 1980s period atmosphere and performances provide some appeal, the film struggles to condense an expansive life story into a cohesive emotional journey.
| Production | The film succeeds in recreating the 1980s Panamanian atmosphere through polished sets and production design. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay feels underdeveloped, failing to give necessary depth to Durán’s upbringing and personal history. | |
| Runtime | The 110-minute runtime is insufficient for the scope of the biography, resulting in a fragmented and episodic storytelling style. | |
| Acting | Performances are a subject of debate: while De Niro and de Armas receive praise for their charisma, critics are split on whether Edgar Ramírez brings enough nuance to the lead role. |