SYNOPSICS
Tapia (2013) is a English movie. Eddie Alcazar has directed this movie. are the starring of this movie. It was released in 2013. Tapia (2013) is considered one of the best Documentary,Sport movie in India and around the world.
TAPIA takes us inside the tortured soul of Johnny Tapia, the 5-time world champion boxer whose unprecedented success was overshadowed by a volatile drug addiction brought on by the brutal rape and murder of his mother at the tender age of 8 years old. Director Eddie Alcazar candidly reveals Tapia's public struggles through intimate interviews, archival footage, and photos that showcase his vivacious personality and child-like gusto. With the love and support of his wife by his side, the film follows Johnny Tapia's rise to one of the most legendary fighters of our time, in and out of the ring.
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Tapia (2013) Reviews
Moving and beautifully made
Just saw this documentary at the LA Film Fest. It is an emotionally stirring movie about the 5 time world boxing champion from Albuquerque, New Mexico Johnny Tapia. The story is told primarily through Tapia's own words, with well selected vintage footage documenting Tapia's rise, fall and struggle to overcome his demons with the help of his wife Teresa. Despite the sometimes grim subject matter Tapia is an engaging guide to his own life and never blames others for any of his hardships. The film also offers a glimpse into the local culture of Albuquerque that spawned Tapia and both nourished him and sowed the seeds of his troubles. Elegant direction by Albuquerque native Eddie Alcazar. Not just for sports fans.
Review by a boxing fan
As a boxing fan, I did not find this quite as engaging as I thought I would. Of course, Tapia's story is utterly compelling and he proved to be a very poignant interviewee, but I don't think this movie told me anything I didn't already know. Also, while understanding that it is a difficult task to work how to balance the personal story and the sports story, I felt it leaned a bit too much on the boxing side. There are any number of boxing champions whose sporting accomplishments are outstanding, so it is the life tales that stand out. ------ SPOILERS in next paragraph ------ Personally, I would have liked more time to have been spent on the revelation of his mother's killer and his father's true identity. Also, Johnny's own death should have been more than a footnote. I realise production had probably wrapped up by then, but it would have been worth it to go back and get reaction footage and re-edit. The climax would have been that much more powerful. ----- end of spoilers ----- For all that, it is still an accomplished piece of film-making which does its best to please both boxing fans and neutrals. It will probably please the latter group more as the story will not be as well known to them.