The Kid: Chamaco (2009)
"Chamaco" (original title)

Abner is trapped in the rough life of Mexico City. His escape? Boxing. Dr. Frank Irwin (Martin Sheen) and his son Jimmy, a pro boxer, come together to teach Abner that the heart fuels the punches we throw in life.

Director:

Miguel Necoechea

Writers:

Carl Bessai, Kirk Harris,

Stars:

Martin Sheen, Kirk Harris, Álex Perea

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Martin Sheen	...	Dr. Frank Irwin
Kirk Harris	...	Jimmy 'the Dream' Irwin
Álex Perea	...	Abner Torres
Michael Madsen	...	Willie
Danny Perea	...	Silvana Torres
Sofía Espinosa	...	Paulina
Gustavo Sánchez Parra	...	Rigoberto Torres
Raúl Méndez	...	Officer Manuel Quintana
Christian Vasquez	...	Wilo (as Cristián Vásquez)
Gustavo Ganem	...	Poncho
Juan Carlos Remolina	...	Raúl
Daniel Evangelista	...	José Daniel Evangelista
Rafael Valdes	...	Referee Saldivar
Joe Torrenueva	...	Dr. Luis Ortega
Michael Ellison	...	Mike Ellison

Storyline

Young Abner Torres wants to pursue professional boxing as his means to escape the pervasive poverty, prostitution, drug dealing and bullying police of his Mexican city. His abusive father already exploits him in illegal matches, keeping for himself whatever money Abner makes from it. Personal support comes Abner's way from his sister Silvana, best friend Wilo and girlfriend Paulina. Local physician Dr. Frank Irwin, a caring influence in the neighborhood, also takes an active interest in guiding the lad off the streets. Frank's son is Jimmy 'the Dream' Irwin, who is himself trying to make a boxing mark in American despite getting a little too old for the sport and nursing a broken hand. At Silvana's intercession, Jimmy begins training Abner at the local gym while beginning to fall for his sister. Just as things are looking good for Abner's chances, tragedy strikes, threatening to derail everyone's efforts to see him leave the ghetto.

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Plot Keywords:

boxing | best friend | mexico | drugs | abusive father | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

Spanish English

Release Date:

January 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Kid: Chamaco

Filming Locations:

Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rogue Arts, Ivania Films, Fidecine

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Jimmy Irwin: He's a tough little booger.
Dr. Frank Irwin: Whadda you mean?
Jimmy Irwin: I saw him take a real beatin' at the gym today.
Dr. Frank Irwin: He and his sister are patients of mine at the clinic. He wants to be a professional fighter.
Jimmy Irwin: Well, there's a ridiculous dream, right? Least, that's what YOU say when I want to become a fighter.
Dr. Frank Irwin: I don't recall saying that.
Jimmy Irwin: How convenient.
Dr. Frank Irwin: Ah, stop bellyaching, for Christ's sake.

User Reviews

Martin Sheen fan

I rented this title at Blockbuster as a big fan of Martin Sheen. Apocalypse Now will forever be my favorite film. I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised by the film. I'm not one for subtitled films, however the bilingual nature of this film was done so smoothly. A heartfelt story of a doctor living in Mexico City whose long lost shows up out of the blue - causing them to rebuild their relationship via the helping of a young boy they both take an interest in. The son is a down on his luck boxer whose faded glory has brought him to see his dad for help. A teenager the doctor is already helping is trying to become a boxer. Indeed a simple story yet done so well. The boxing is really really good in this film. I also really enjoyed life on the streets in Mexico City. The performances are really strong. And, of course if you are a Martin Sheen fan like me it is incredible to watch this man take on a character who speaks Spanish half of the time with such depth. Not unlike the Irish film "Da" where he took on another aspect of his roots.

Highly recommend.