Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
William DeMeo | ... | Anthony | |
Michael Madsen | ... | Enzo | |
Alec Baldwin | ... | Gino Fratelli | |
Annabella Sciorra | ... | Mary | |
Manny Perez | ... | Jose | |
Joseph D'Onofrio | ... | Matty (as Joe D'Onofrio) | |
Ronnie Marmo | ... | Dominick | |
Cristian DeMeo | ... | Young Anthony | |
Larry Merchant | ... | Self | |
Mike Tyson | ... | Self | |
Lillo Brancato | ... | Nicky (as Lillo Brancato Jr.) | |
Louis Lombardi | ... | Jerry Velvontie | |
Shannen Doherty | ... | Maria | |
Danny Glover | ... | Eddie 'Rocks' Travor | |
Aaron Joshua | ... | Reggie Dawson |
Set in both the late 80's and current day, "Back in the Day" is a gritty tale about Anthony Rodriguez (William DeMeo), a half Italian - half Puerto Rican young teenager growing up on the streets of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn; a then very dangerous and racist neighborhood filled with bullies, big shots and social clubs where all of the neighborhood shots were called. Anthony had to endure an abusive, unemployed, alcoholic father but was blessed with a nurturing, hard-working mother who he loses at a very early age and is devastated by it. In spite of his bitterness, he struggles to uphold the morals his Mother taught him and retain his dignity in spite of being up against all odds. He is taken under the wing of a local mob boss, Enzo DeVino (Michael Madsen), who supports Anthony's wishes to escape his demons through the sport of boxing. Enzo connects Anthony with a trainer (Danny Glover), who means business, and turns Anthony into a contender although his troubled life and friends, who seem... Written by Paul Borghese
A young man grows up In a mob controlled neighbourhood in Brooklyn. Being half Italian and half Puerto Rican he faces constant challenges. His father is a drunk and his mother is always working which gives him ample time to pound the sand bag. Michael Madsen plays a mob boss who sets up the boy with a trainer played by Danny Glover, seeing potential in him. His mother is killed by a hit and run driver which changes his life. He now strives to be middleweight champion of the world.
They try and make a Rocky meets Goodfellas with mostly unbelievable characters. Alec Baldwin and Madsen do fine but the rest? The story focuses on his growing up and the life around him. The run time is two hours which is too long for this one. Mike Tyson's cameo was cheesy as he shows up to give the boxer a pep talk, which looks like he was reading off a prompt.