Joe And Max [DVD]

Features

• Type: DVD
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• Language(s): english
• Subtitle(s): english, spanish
• Subtitles for the Hearing Impaired: english
• Director(s): Steve James
• Actor(s): Til Schweiger, Leonard Roberts, Richard Roundtree, David Paymer, Peta Wilson, Bruce Weitz, Siena Goines, John Toles-Bey, Jürgen Schornagel, Paul Collins

As with his epic documentary Hoop Dreams, Steve James's dramatized biopic transcends sports to tell the inspiring true story of the surprising friendship that developed between boxers Joe Louis (Leonard Roberts) and Max Schmeling (Til Schweiger). When these two opponents met in the ring for their epic heavyweight championship bouts in the 1930s, they carried their respective worlds on their shoulders. Louis not only represented the hopes and dreams of the black community, but also "the flag of America and democracy." Nazi Germany's propaganda machine hyped Schmeling as the embodiment of "the master race," although Schmeling, whose story carries more dramatic punch, disassociated himself from Hitler. "I'm not a Nazi," he proclaimed. "I'm just a fighter." Joe and Max takes some hits with its often ham-handed script, but it's got great performances in its corner that should make it a contender for audiences beyond fight fans. --Donald Liebenson