The Joe Louis Story – Ringer, Rak och Med En Näve Mot Historien

So, I watched “The Joe Louis Story” last night, just after my ritual Tuesday night makrill dinner, and boy, talk about a film that left me thinking. The main bloke, Coley Wallace, basically looks like he walked out of a classic Åmål boxing club. I had to look up if he was a real actor or a boxer who learned his lines on the tram. Turns out… it’s both, kind of. Anyway, the film came out way back in 1953. Imagine that; TV was still black-and-white at home in Bromma!

The director, Robert Gordon, is no Ingmar Bergman, if you ask me. But you can tell he gave it a real American swing. There’s a kind of grit and simplicity to the story, it’s almost råbarkad. It’s not one of those sugar-coated biopics, you know? Instead, you get this honest, street smart vibe – though, sometimes it feels like watching an old hockey match in Solna – tough and rough, but a bit clunky.

One thing – the soundtrack, yeesh. It’s almost as if someone borrowed a trumpet from the Spårvägsmuseet and only learned two notes. But that’s kinda charming, in a goofy way.

Funny thing, when I was about twelve, I tried boxing in Sundbyberg because I wanted to be like Joe Louis. I ended up with a blå tira and heaps of respect for any boxer. So watching this film, I kept thinking about those early mornings, smelling the leather gloves and disinfected gym floor.

Is it a film for everyone? Eh, kanske inte. But for anyone who loves a real underdog story with a bit of svensk kämpaglöd, I’d say give it a go. Bring coffee, though, it’s a bit slow in the middle. Maybe even a kanelbulle.

watch the full movie on Mavshack Movies on YouTube

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