Beyond the Ropes (2012) is a sports thriller film, about a boxing manager Chad Figurido and his fighter David Fichtenmayer. In life, there are many battles, but for a boxing team the biggest test is outside the ropes.
I want to introduce you to Alexander Pimentel from BEYOND THE ROPES, currently the most popular project on FilmBreak. These guys are very active users on the site as you probably know and they do a great job promoting their project on Facebook/Twitter. Their film is solid. "Beyond the Ropes" explores the relationship between individual success and friendships. Leo, a young, troubled boxer that seeks the desperately needed approval of his fellow athletes, whose attention is solely focused on his boxing career, fails to see the other decisions put into motion due to boxing as a Sport. Where as Anthony is the individual whom we get to see how decisions are made beyond the ropes of a Boxing Ring. I thought they might be good candidates for FilmBreak Entertainment's original content. Alex and some of the other Cast/Crew are US Army Veterans and I think their determination to succeed in film is compelling. I'll let you guys take it from here.—Darren Marble
Beyond the Ropes opens with a trade of goods in what looks to be an 'under-the-table' type situation. At the end of this very quiet exchange, the main character Anthony is handed a Sepia Photo of himself and a Boxer. Anthony, and the VIEWER, seem to travel back in-time and into the Sepia Photograph, almost the absolute reversal of 'The Wizard of Oz' (1939).
-- Flashback: Sepia Photo
In a Training Gym, Anthony and the Boxer (Leo) he manages, argue about working toward a Competitive Title Fight. This happens to be a sore subject because Anthony needs to invite Leo to a Dinner, which involves Leo throwing a Fight for a significant amount of money.
At the Restaurant, Leo and Anthony tell a Mob Boss (Joe Danova) that they want a shot at the Competitive Title. Joe Danova angrily dismisses them, but asks to speak to Anthony alone. Danova, invites Anthony to join him in under-the-table *Goods Trade,* and warns he should see that Leo throws the Competitive Fight as promised.
Some time later, in the Gym, Anthony and Leo have an altercation over the way the money will be invested from throwing the upcoming fight. During this altercation, Anthony is physically harmed by Leo.
Anthony, now fearing for his life, has chosen to discuss a dirty arrangement while at an under-the-table meeting with Leo's upcoming Opponent and Trainer. He offers them a large sum of money to accidentally 'Kill' Leo in the boxing ring during the upcoming Competitive Bout.
There is an inter-cut of a Weigh-Ins Scene, strongly in homage to Raging Bull (1980). In this Scene we can see all the tension that has been building, between the competitive two fighters, and the shady deal-makers hiding in the background.
Fight Night - The locker room is filled with negative tension between Anthony and Leo. Before the fight, Leo declares to Anthony that he will not "Throw this Fight," and walks off toward his destiny. Anthony collects himself and walks forward into demise.
Montage of their Partnership as Boxing Manager and Boxing Fighter.
After the Fight - In the locker room, Leo is devastated and Anthony is quiet. Leo explains he had the fight won and if it weren't due to his injury... "I would have had him."... "I had him..." Anthony responds with..."I know..." Anthony explains that Leo should shower, dress, then meet him out back and exits.
Someone's HAND is revealed wielding a Revolver which... FIRES...Leo laying face down in the shower, has Anthony's thrown *Focus Mitts* fall onto his motionless and bloody body. The Gun Shot is direct homage to the film 'Breathless' (1960).[Can you name the character the Shooter's Hand belongs to in the film?]
-- End Flashback: Real Time
Anthony is called by his Driver, he snaps out of his memory and before getting back into his SUV, personally accepts the Sepia Photograph of Leo and Himself....
THE END
