Body and Soul

1981's BODY AND SOUL is a remake of the 1947 John Garfield vehicle, somewhat vividly updated.  The story is much the same, old hat stuff about how money and fame can poison an essentially good man.  The updates of course are the elements the Hayes Codes would've never allowed in the '40s: sex, nudity, and rough language.   This might cause some viewers to say the film has plenty of "body", and not enough "soul."  And they'd be correct.

Leon Isaac Kennedy (who also wrote the script) stars as Leon Johnson, an up and coming middleweight boxer going to med school.  But then his little sister is diagnosed with sickle cell anemia, requiring long term hospitalization.   Leon realizes he needs money right now, and with an abundance of confidence (and a big mouth) decides to drop out of school and go for the golden gloves.   He even seeks the training of Muhammed Ali (playing himself), instead getting the gruff Frankie (Michael V. Gazzo).  He never loses a fight, but the venues are only half filled.  He needs a gimmick, and soon becomes "Leon the Lover".

It's apt, as the young man just can't say no to the naked women who throw themselves at him.   But even our first view of Leon, pre fame, has him doing the nasty with some groupie in a public restroom.   This is right before he accepts an award from good girl journalist Julie Winters (Jayne Kennedy, Isaac's then wife), who he spends the movie winning and losing and winning back 'cause he's such a confused cad.  Can he blame his new manager Big Man (Peter Lawford), who makes him a star but essentially owns and thoroughly corrupts him? 

The screenplay is thin and makes no effort to explore what makes Leon tick.  Director George Bowers'  BODY AND SOUL is merely a tired retelling of show biz cliches without much thought behind it.  I might've accepted a skin deep story if the actors were competent.  Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy both look great but their acting just doesn't cut it, especially during key emotional moments.  Lawford is amusing but cartoonish at best.  Ali is disappointingly wooden.  Then there's Perry Lang as Leon's friend/promoter Charles.  Simply terrible.  If you can make it through his big drug withdrawal scene ("I NEED MY GLASSES!!") without busting a gut you're a better person than me.

In fact, several moments in this movie are screamingly bad, almost on the level of THE ROOM.  No kidding.  Another favorite has to be the interview with Leon's intimidating opponent Mad Man Santiago (Al Denava) by a sports announcer played by Danny Wells, the latter of whom easily steals this movie in his three or four scenes.