José María Gatica was an Argentine pugilist born in extreme poverty (he never attended school). His technical skills were not up to the best, but he compensated with a wild, free swinging ring style; he came out at the bell throwing non-stop punches and always fought to the bitter end. Extremely popular, he attracted the attention of President Juan Domingo Perón, a boxing enthusiast, who helped finance a trip to the US in quest of a world title. This dream was shattered when he fought World Champion Ike Williams in a non-title bout and suffered a first round knockout. This marked a steady decline in his career although his popularity was unabated for a while. Even people indifferent to boxing were excited by the series of brawls Gatica fought with his arch-rival Alfredo Prada, as legendary as the Sugar Ray Robinson - Jake LaMotta bouts were for Americans.
An improvident man, Gatica squandered or gave away his (at times considerable) income and ended up in poverty. A fervent Peronist, his problems were compounded when, after Peron's overthrow in 1955 he was persecuted and his boxing license was revoked. His old ring rival Prada gave him a job in his restaurant, but at the end of his life he was reduced to selling knick-knacks in soccer games. He was forgotten by his fans, although (in an ironic but not unusual twist of fate) there was an outpouring of popular grief at his funeral.
Gatica el Mono (Mono,"monkey" was one of Gatica's nicknames) makes a good job of putting Gatica's life on screen. Edgardo Nieva plays Gatica to perfection, aided by his striking resemblance to the the original. The whole film rests on Nieva's shoulders (this was his first acting credit). He is supported by an excellent cast. Leonardo Favio's direction tends to the melodramatic here and there, but this is probably intended; after all, Gatica's life seems to have been written by a Hollywood scriptwriter. The cinematography is lush, which suits the subject, and the reconstruction of time and place flawless. Music should perhaps have been toned down in some scenes. Boxing scenes are brutal and realistic. A good movie overall.
