You know him as a prize winning fighter, an ear biter, a convicted rapist and all around “crazy” guy but what do you really know about Mike Tyson? James Toback doesn’t think we have the full story.
Toback, a close friend of Tyson’s, has directed Tyson, a documentary which features a mixture of archival footage, photographs and interviews, including conversations with Tyson himself, to shed light on Tyson’s life experiences. From the trailer, it’s difficult to discern what Toback is trying to get at with the film: is he simply allowing Tyson the opportunity to air out his laundry, is he creating a more complete image of the icon or is he trying to elicit sympathy for his good friend? I’m curious to see what he is trying for and what he actually achieves.
Tyson premiered at Cannes last year and has since been picked up for distribution by Sony Pictures Classics. Look for it in limited release on April 24th.
Trailer is tucked under the seat!
At one point in his life, Mike Tyson was one of the greatest physical specimens that this world has ever seen. He is a really, really interesting dude – although the fact that it is made by a close friend may make this documentary less interesting then it should be.
The again, Tyson may open up a lot more in these interviews if it is his friend he is talking to.