“Billy” (Stacy Keech), who spent years as a working boxer, has been forced to retire due to the wear and tear on his body. Now he spends much of his time drinking with “Oma” (Susan Tyrell, who stands out), struggling to make ends meet after boxing left him without money. While training at the YMCA, he meets “Ernie” (Jeff Bridges), a young man full of energy who initially seems to be just having fun but quickly decides he wants to pursue a career that "Billy" believes will end in a short burst of success followed by disappointment. "Billy" wonders if he can use his own experiences to help his younger friend, but “Ernie” is now taking advice from “Ruben” (Nicholas Colasanto), who used to manage him, and so is being told about promises of money and fame. When "Billy" tries to offer guidance, it only creates resentment in the aspiring fighter, who believes his former friend is simply jealous of his potential. Meanwhile, girlfriend “Faye” (Candy Clark) is also pushing “Ernie” to focus on what’s important, leaving this skilled boxer feeling conflicted and pressured to make difficult decisions within a harmful atmosphere filled with greed, anger, and distrust. Although there are some secondary storylines that work well, the film shines most when it focuses on Keech and Bridges portraying familiar boxing tropes—the idea of fighting as an escape for those who have faced little hope or opportunity in life. It’s presented as a realistic portrayal, written from a compelling viewpoint to show how desperate people can become and how hard they'll work to improve their circumstances. Bridges performs well, and although there isn't much action inside the ring, what is shown is filmed effectively to convey the kind of punishment these men endure on a weekly basis. The film takes an observational approach, allowing viewers to step back and appreciate that this isn’t how they live their own lives.

Source on TMDB