Greetings again from the darkness. There is no obvious explanation for my connection to and appreciation of Tim Blake Nelson on the big screen … well … other than his talent. He certainly doesn’t possess the traditional attributes of a movie star, yet that’s exactly what he is. Not only is he one of the most dependable character actors around (see O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU and MINORITY REPORT), but he’s also terrific in lead roles (see OLD HENRY and ASLEEP IN MY PALM). With this latest film, director Vincent Grashaw and screenwriter Will Janowitz (who also has a role in the film) benefit from the actor’s audacious and fearless performance.
Bernard “Bang Bang” Rozyski (Tim Blake Nelson) is a bitter man. He’s also an alcoholic. As a former boxer, he appears to be in a race to the bottom with the area of Detroit in which he lives. Both man and city are crumbling and to add insult, the former boxing rival that Bernard views as the reason for his decline is running for Mayor. Darnell Washington (Glenn Plummer) became rich peddling juicers (not countertop grills) and now holds himself up as a guiding light for a city that needs a reason to exist … not unlike Bernard.
Bernard’s estranged daughter (Nina Arianda) surprises him with a knock on the door and a request to watch her son Justin (Andrew Liner) while she gets settled with a new job in a new city. Justin’s ankle monitor prevents him from going with mom until he fulfills his community service. He also shows little interest in Grandpa’s philosophical meanderings … until he learns boxing can lead to money and girls. Bernard begins training him with the help of an old friend (Kevin Corrigan), and it’s at this point when we wonder if Bernard’s new path is one of redemption or revenge.
While the reasoning may be initially unclear, we have no doubt that Bernard is haunted by the past – and he understands this very well. Fighting, family, and his former house all play a role in his bitterness and frustration. We also understand that things don’t tend to get better for a guy like ‘Bang Bang’. Although the film covers familiar ground with some recognizable tropes, Tim Blake Nelson’s performance and the raw aesthetic of the film keep us fully engaged. His final confrontation with Washington may go a bit over the top, but it reminds us that while a hammer sees everything as a nail, a fighter may very well view everything as a fight … or at least as the only way to resolve conflict.
The film opens in select theaters on September 12, 2025 (NYC, LA, Detroit, with additional markets TBA), following its premiere at the Tribeca Festival.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 