Rent Fat City (1972)
3.7 of 5 from 123 ratings
1h 37min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
With a screenplay adapted by Leonard Gardner from his own novel, John Huston's drama examines the meager hopes and resigned dreams of small-time boxers. In limbo between retirement and his youthful prime, alcoholic farm laborer Tully (Stacy Keach) shacks up with fellow outcast Oma (Susan Tyrrell) and keeps trying to make a boxing comeback, but his personal demons repeatedly overpower his ambitions. Meanwhile, fellow Stockton, CA resident and budding fighter Ernie (Jeff Bridges) takes Tully's advice to join trainer Ruben (Nicholas Colasanto)'s gym and make something of himself. Learning the tough lesson that winning is not as easy as it sounds, Ernie is still determined to get what he can out of boxing and, unlike Tully, not let disappointments get the best of him. - Actors:
- Stacy Keach, Jeff Bridges, Susan Tyrrell, Candy Clark, Nicholas Colasanto, Art Aragon, Curtis Cokes, Sixto Rodriguez, Billy Walker, Wayne Mahan, Ruben Navarro, Álvaro López, Carl D. Parker, Al Silvani
- Directors:
- John Huston
- Producers:
- John Huston, Ray Stark
- Writers:
- Leonard Gardner
- Studio:
- Powerhouse Films
- Genres:
- Classics, Drama, Sports & Sport Films
- Collections:
- A Brief History of Boxing Films, All the Twos: 1972-2012, Award Winners, Instant Expert's Guide to John Huston, The Biggest Oscar Snubs: Part 1, A Brief History of Film..., The Instant Expert's Guide, Top 10 Films of 1972, Top Films
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 27/03/2017
- Run Time:
- 97 minutes
- Languages:
- English Dolby Digital 1.0, English Dolby Digital 5.1
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.85:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- (0) All
- Bonus:
- Audio Commentary with film historians Lem Dobbs and Nick Redman
- Sucker Punch Blues: Looking Back on John Huston's 'Fat City ' (2017, 55 mins): new documentary featuring interviews with actors Stacy Keach and Candy Clark, casting director Fred Roos and assistant cameraman Gary Vidor
- An American Classic (2015, 22 mins): a newly illustrated audio interview with Fat City author Leonard Gardner
- John Huston on Fat City ' (1972, 6 mins): archival interview filmed for the French TV programme Pour le cinema
- The John Player Lecture with John Huston (1972, 88 mins): audio recording of an interview conducted by Brian Baxter at the National Film Theatre, London
- Isolated Score
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Image Gallery
- UK Home Video Premiere
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Reviews (1) of Fat City
A Bruised Kindness - Fat City review by griggs
Fat City is one of those quiet stunners that sneaks up on you. Set in the sun-blasted streets of Stockton, California, it follows small-time boxers drifting between hope and resignation. Don’t eXpect a typical sports film—there's barely any boxing. The real punches are emotional, landing during conversations in diners, changing rooms, and half-lit bars. It's about failure, dignity, and the weight of failed dreams.
John Huston, who boxed as a young man, brings a bruised tenderness to the story. Know for films like The Maltese Falcon and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, he always had an eye for characters on the losing side of life. That compassion shows here, especially in how the film treats its characters—with quiet empathy rather than judgement.
Susan Tyrell, raw and unforgettable, and a young, effortless Jeff Bridges complete the cast alongside Stacy Kerch, superb as as the washed-up fighter clawing for meaning in a world that's long since moved on.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.