I've seen this a good few times growing up, but after watching it again after 12 years leaves me with a completely diffe
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — The Champ
podge691 — 12 years ago(January 26, 2014 09:45 PM)
I've seen this a good few times growing up, but after watching it again after 12 years leaves me with a completely different perspective.
It's a great film and very sad, but I think T.J. landed on his feet when Flynn died. Had he not died at the end, that beep-up Flynn would have continued making poor T.J's life miserable. He stole from him, gave him abuse, slapped him, told him he ate too much etc. Even when T.J. (who is 8), is thoughtful enough to take his dad ribs in the police station, he's dismissed and
told, "I'm not hungry!". Not even a thank you!
Did Flynn honestly think that after his comeback everything would be ok? Sure he loves T.J. but that aint enough. It's clear that Flynn has a drinking issue and possible mental health issues. I'm not trolling, but after reading numerous posts no one has mentioned nor seems to think Flynn's inevitable death was for the best.
Did anyone else feel this way? -
Culburn — 10 years ago(September 16, 2015 12:13 PM)
What we fail as an audience to see even 35 years after this film's release is the affect that the abandonment by "Annie" had on "Billy." This is "our" fault because Z takes the opportunity in the stable scene to painstakingly make us aware that this film, this story is about more than just this child, it is about "Billy" and his incalculable loss he's endured for 7 years.
Against a backdrop of a billion tears represented by a torrential Florida downpour Billy finally confesses to Annie about his loss,,,"What about me?" Before this confession the two are aimlessly squabbling as ex's are apt to do. Annie is immediately graveled and rises from her seated position to bear witness Billy's confession. Z moves in with the camera. It is here that Voight has his finest moment. My God, he is mercurial, beyond anything imaginable. Watch him work here. It is so beautiful. In response to Billy's offer to grant her a "second chance" Annie's voice breaks (bless Dunaway trying to keep up with Voight), but, the rejection is plain, "I have a husband."
Rejected, Billy's legs buckle and he seats himself. Z comes one more time, and this time with everything he's got. Annie kneels, to her knees at Billy's side, subjugating herself to her "husband," intimately touching him, watch her do it, it is so decimating, she appeals to Billy on behalf of the child again. Consciously Z refused to let us, the audience see Billy's acknowledgement of Annie's continuing love for him, but, subconsciously Billy knows,,,because from this moment on thru the ocean scene and the death scene they're "married" once more. Billy, now beaten blind, death loitering the room patiently talks only of Annie's presence ringside. She has returned to him,,,first the child, now to him.
Film. American film. -
Felixthecat34213 — 10 years ago(September 30, 2015 02:47 AM)
Obviously that scene was done to push TJ away and into Annie's life. He wanted his son to have a better life with Annie and forget all about him. That didn't work and he obviously saw right through it, even though he was deeply hurt. But I definitely get what you're saying. TJ is such a thoughtful and loyal child and it tends to go unnoticed by his father.
I think Billy was selfish in a sense that he was completely living in his own self loathing and misery. The effect of Annie's abandonment was so intense, that he couldn't even acknowledge the affection of his own son. He certainly loved him and showed him affection, but he obviously takes him for granted.
I found his son's loyalty quite fascinating. Right around that age you start to become aware of your parent's short comings and in a lot of ways resentful. It's probably for the best that Billy died before TJ grew older. This way he'll always remember his father with affection and love, rather than deep seated resentment for a rotten childhood. He was young enough to still worship his father as a "champ" instead of the bum or "prick" as you mention.