Jack Huston makes his directorial debut with this week’s “Day of the Fight,” a black-and-white drama about a boxer that intentionally summons and echoes “Raging Bull.”
That classic Oscar winner was emphatically an inspiration and Martin Scorsese, no less, has given his blessing introducing “Fight” at New York’s Lincoln Center.
Among the cast: “Raging Bull” icon Joe Pesci, Ron Perlman and Steve Buscemi.
“I have a strong love of previous boxing films. I conceived the idea not of a boxing film but a film about a boxer,” Huston, 41, clarified at a joint virtual press conference with his star, Michael C. Pitt. “I wanted a film that would work without the fight, so when it did come, it’s a sundae with cherry on top.
“It’s about,” he added of his original screenplay, “second chances, Cinderella stories, underdog stories.”
Pitt, 43, and Huston met making “Boardwalk Empire.” Yet years went by before “Fight” happened.
As the title says, “Day of the Fight” is indeed focused on this one day where Pitt’s Mike Flannigan, just released from prison, is to, somewhat miraculously, battle the boxing champion in the ring at Madison Square Garden.
As if on a pilgrimage, Flannigan visits significant figures from his past. Each encounter concludes with a farewell. Flannigan continues on what might be his road to redemption.
“We always talk of it going right through to the end. It is almost like that journey of purgatory,” Huston said. “That final taxi ride he takes is crossing the River Styx. We were very clear when we end on Michael’s eyes at the end of the film. I said to him, ‘You’ve got to smile’ — even though we don’t’ see his face. He can be happy. He’s kissing a St. Christopher medal.”
Pitt spent months preparing. “I went to a gym in New York and let them beat me up basically,” he said, adding, “It’s been a long time since I was allowed to just be an actor, be directed. To not worry about writing or over-intellectualizing the character.
“I trusted Jack. He wanted me focused — and that was a dream. To trust my director and know that if I veered off, he would bring me in.
“For me it was important that boxing was portrayed honestly,” Pitt concluded. “I was adamant about being able to make physical contact with my fighter. Not rely so much on choreography” to give the illusion but really box.
“I have never met someone more dedicated. On Christmas day he was in the gym,” Huston marveled. “By the end of it he was a fighter. Any boxer would look at this movie and say, ‘He’s a fighter’ — which he really is.”
“Day of the Fight” is in theaters this week