Hands of Stone (2016)

The legendary Roberto Duran and his equally legendary trainer Ray Arcel change each other's lives.

Director:

Jonathan Jakubowicz

Writer:

Jonathan Jakubowicz

Stars:

Edgar Ramírez, Usher Raymond, Robert De Niro

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Edgar Ramírez	...	Roberto Durán
Robert De Niro	...	Ray Arcel
Usher Raymond	...	Sugar Ray Leonard (as Usher Raymond IV)
Rubén Blades	...	Carlos Eleta
Ana de Armas	...	Felicidad Iglesias
Pedro Perez	...	Plomo (as Pedro 'Budú' Pérez)
Óscar Jaenada	...	Chaflan
John Turturro	...	Frankie Carbo
Ellen Barkin	...	Stephanie Arcel
Jurnee Smollett-Bell	...	Juanita Leonard
Yancey Arias	...	Benny Huertas
Drena De Niro	...	Adele
Ilza Ponko	...	Clara Samaniego (as Ilza Rosario)
Anthony Molinari	...	Marine Molinari
Rick Avery	...	Gil Clancey

Storyline

Follows the life of Roberto Duran, who made his professional debut in 1968 as a 16-year-old and retired in 2002 at age 50. In June 1980, he defeated Sugar Ray Leonard to capture the WBC welterweight title but shocked the boxing world by returning to his corner in the November rematch, saying 'no mas' (no more).

---

Plot Keywords:

rematch | 1980s | boxing | sex scene | fight | 

---

Taglines:

No mas. No surrender.

---

Genres:

Action | Biography | Drama | Sport

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language throughout and some sexuality/nudity

Details

Country:

Panama USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

26 August 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Manos de piedra

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,751,388, 28 August 2016, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$4,711,736, 9 October 2016

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fuego Films, Epicentral Studios, La Piedra Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Frankie Carbo (John Turturro) is the real-life mob boss and boxing czar, on whom the character "Tommy Como" was based, in Raging Bull (1980).

---

Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Robert De Niro/Jordan Spieth/Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha (2016)

---

Soundtracks

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
Performed by Pete Peterkin
Written by Katharine Lee Bates
Composed by Samuel A. Ward
Published 1895

User Reviews

'No mas'

Writer/director Jonathan Jakubowicz has captured the true story of Panamanian boxer Roberto Durán and has been able to turn this rags to riches to dissipation and back story into far more than just a boxing story. This is a film that focuses on the interpersonal and professional relationship between a fighter and his trainer and it works well.

The story is a rise, fall and rise again story of legendary Panamanian boxer Roberto Durán (Edgar Ramírez) who climbed into notoriety in 1968 as a 16 year old in his first controversial appearance at Madison Square Gardens. In June 1980, he defeated Sugar Ray Leonard (Usher Raymond) to capture the WBC welterweight title but shocked the boxing world by returning to his corner in the November rematch, saying 'no mas' (no more): he was retiring from boxing. By the time of his actual retirement in 2002 at the age of 50, he had 199 fights under his belt with 103 wins and four titles as a lightweight, welterweight, light middleweight and middleweight. The film however focuses on his relationship with legendary boxing trainer Ray Arcel (Robert De Niro) whose own exploits in the boxing world made him the first trainer to be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame.

The cast is splendid – and in addition to Ramirez, Raymond, and De Niro there are fine supporting roles by Ana de Armas as Roberto's wife, Rubén Blades as Carlos Eleta, John Turturro as Frankie Carbo, Pedro Perez as Plomo, and Ellen Barkin as De Niro's wife, and Reg E. Cathey as Don King.

For boxing fans and for those who respect the history of sports this film is a must. But beyond the boxing and historical aspects, the interacting between Ramírez and De Niro is richly rewarding and Oscar worthy performances. Grady Harp, December 16