I am Duran
 

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Director: Mat Hodgson
Year:  2019
Rating: 7.0

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This is a very sympathetic documentary about Roberto Duran. Which I was glad to see because back in the 1980s when boxing meant something he was to many Americans such as myself one of the great boxing villains. Hands of Stone that he was referred as. I don't even really recall why. Perhaps his lack of grace in the ring - he just hit and hit until his opponent fell down and they did most of the time. Perhaps because he was matched up against Sugar Ray Leonard three times who we all loved - who was the anti-Duran - witty, personable and a thing of beauty in the ring. But this documentary set me straight - he was one of the great boxers of all time - winning the Championship in four different weight classes, a good family man, a dirt floor upbringing, a hero to the Panamanians and who fought until he was 50 years old which is insane. Lots of video of him fighting, interviews with him as of the making of the film and lots of other folks chime in as well. The director roped in the history of Panama as well into the story and I am not sure what the point was other than to give some context to Duran. It is basic documentary material but builds up some drama about his life, career and fights if you are not familiar with them.