Cardboard Boxer (2016) User Reviews

I can see the heart behind the movie more than I can feel it.

[subxerogravity · 7/10 · 30 September 2016]

Thomas Hayden Church plays Willie, a homeless man with a little missing in the head. Based on the title of the movie, the film was about Willie getting paid by some rich kids to fight other homeless people for their entertainment. The other star on the poster, Terrance Howard plays a man who was able to get himself off the streets and comes back to help those he left behind, trying to seek out these rich kids and stop them from exploiting the homeless.

The richness of the film comes from Church trying to keep his mind straight, and doing this after coming across the diary of a young burn victim writing about the experience. He finds comfort writing letter to her inside the diary.

Overall the film does a great job of making you look differently at the homeless. It get inside the mind of a man living on the streets, and it does not try to figure him out, just make him human.

However, the movie does clean up far too well, and somehow this takes away from completely getting under your skin about the situation.

It's a well driven vehicle for Church, especially with Howard riding shotgun, but it does not have the emotion needed for people to go out and see it.

Not bad

[851222 · 7/10 · 12 December 2016]

Greetings from Lithuania.

"Cardboard Boxer" (2016) kinda reminded me a bit of "Time Out of Mind" (2014) - similar themes and surroundings. "Cardboard Boxer" is not bad at all character study movie (a bit), but "Time" was better in this category, but it wasn't such emotional as "Boxer".

Although no awards will shine for acting in this movie, i liked the performances by Thomas Haden Church, Terrence Howard and Boyd Holbrook as Pinky - he could have stayed on screen longer. Directing was nice as well as script. This is well paced movie - at running time 1 h 25 min it doesn't drag.

Overall, "Cardboard Boxer" is a nice little movie which will unfortunately i'm afraid be overlooked by many. Although it doesn't have anything original or very well made, is not a bad movie overall for seeing it once.

Attempt at tearjerker that doesn't quite make it.

[oldvinyl · 7/10 · 18 September 2016]

Worth watching if for no other reason than its raw depiction of life "on the nickel' this is an unusual film. Its antihero, lured by a mere $50, embarks on a course of action pretty much guaranteed to lead to a falling out with the community. I've heard that the majority of homeless people are suffering from mental problems, and this aspect is played nicely by the actors here. And it is a community; this was the part of the film that surprised me most, the parallel world of the homeless, in which street sex is freely available, $5 gets you a b.j. and pussy costs $5 more. The movie is pretty much plot less, except for a rather unbelievable bolted- on ending that failed to convince me. Still, if you like grit and grime, give it a try.

Move Will Make You Cheer Out Loud!

[annjenkinvegan · 29 October 2016]

This is the best feel good movie in years. If you have a heart, it will leave you breathless at times, emotionally exhausted, having laughed and cried, and then feeling so good! It is right on with the feelings one has in being homeless, as I too could not get out of my homeless circumstances, though I tried different cities and states, until in Florida, in utter hopelessness and desperation from years of this I begged a police officer in West Palm Beach to arrest me, but instead he took me to his home, became my biggest hero, and got me out of homelessness. But more importantly, buy this movie, don't rent it! It is a rare gem, and the best medicine for anyone who needs to feel good, and a move such as this one will heal the broken heart.

Life on Skid Row

[walkaround-52635 · 6/10 · 6 September 2020]

This movie shows one perspective of the scandalous life of homelessness. The acting is pretty good. The ending provides a tear jerking moment. Directing was great as this flick mirrors the reality really close.

Don't judge a book by its cover!

[carvey-539-442296 · 7/10 · 9 February 2017]

I attempted to watch what I thought would be a meaningless time passer movie before bed.... I ended up watching a real solid attempt at an emotional movie.. I found my self falling deeper into the pain this movie portrayed. From the first 5 minutes to the last 5 minutes I was fully committed to what this movie has to offer. A film like this really shows a person how hard some people have it and what we all take for granted.. The weak and nieve get prayed upon by the "superior" but in the end we are all human and are capable of amazing things... Most viewers will see the title and move right on by thinking it's just another .50 cent cheap thrill, that lately has seemed to over saturate the movie industry. This is not that kind of movie. Enjoy it as I did and come away feeling pretty blessed about how lucky you have it.

"I don't want to have a big sad part of my life anymore."

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 13 November 2019]

Fans of Thomas Haden Church will discover a different side to his acting ability in this film in which he portrays a homeless person straddling the fence between rationality and mental illness. It's an effective portrayal that tugs at the emotions throughout the story, as well as arouse your anger with a couple of upper crust elitist kids who get their kicks out of setting up and recording fights between derelicts on the street. The down and out street vibe appears to be handled fairly realistically, as Willie patrols local alleys and garbage dumpsters for food, while hookers ply their trade without interference. Beyond his meager existence, Willie's primary goal is to have and be a friend to someone, perhaps even have someone to love. While Willie does take up the preppy challenge to fight other unfortunates, his heart isn't really in it, at one point contemplating suicidal thoughts when he visits his father's gravesite and sadly remarks "Goodbye Daddy, I'll see you soon". However the movie does require the viewer to make a giant leap of faith at the finale because I don't think the execution of the story quite successfully tied the title character to the little girl burn victim. Presumably she was the writer of the diary, who finds herself in Willie's circle by time and circumstance, and brought by a mentor to see him back on the street. That seemed to run contrary to her upbringing by an abusive uncle, requiring a stretch of the imagination to come full circle. A little bit of a rewrite could have made the connection more effectively.

Unfortunately not Bumfights

[thejoudblitz · 1/10 · 16 September 2016]

Sep 16, 2016 I wrote:

This movie is incredibly boring, and not very well made. No character development, shaky cam for no reason, long shots of nothing. There is never explained who the main character is. The kids recruiting him for fighting are vilified in the most amateurish way.

The plot is not so much about the fighting (very few scenes badly done), it is more about the homeless man, his environment and his delusions, using an imaginary friend to... talk to, I guess. I would go so far as to say the plot is really absent.

In the end the director uses a cheap surprise ending (which is predictable enough) and heavy music to evoke an emotional response.

No reviews yet and the film has a rating of 7.9, I wish I could say I give 1 star to alleviate this, but the reality of the situation is "Cardboard Boxer" is garbage.

Jan 14, 2020 edit:

I'm so sad not many people found my review helpful. Looking back 4 years later I find it to be very accurate.

Caught me by surprise

[graemeburke-28832 · 8/10 · 16 September 2016]

Generally, I don't go for dramas much, and I really dislike long draw- out dramas. I watched Cardboard Boxer knowing zero about it apart from the title, and got totally sucked into the story. Its a story about a human being, not a "homeless person". It didn't dwell on the plight of the homeless, or try to preach about the class divide.

I thought the movie made outstanding use of its unashamedly simplistic characters and setting to tell a very thoughtful story with a rich vein of truth and humanity at its core. I found much I could empathise with despite never having been anywhere near homeless myself.

But yes, it is no more about "bumfights" than Romeo and Juliet is about hot-rods and Brylcreem. For people wanting to see that sort of thing, give this one a miss and skip straight to WWE.

Whatever its shortcomings may be, this movie tackles some of the darkest places in the soul of man and still manages to bring the viewer through it feeling optimistic and uplifted without having to resort to anything as patronising as a 'happily ever after'.

Cardboard Boxer touches on many facets of human-nature, but at its heart, it's a love story told through the eyes of someone so utterly alone that they have never even known anyone well enough to develop an unrequited crush, let alone fall in love. By rights, it should be the type of utterly depressing movie that makes me switch off after 10 minutes, but it was quite the opposite. That's a pretty neat trick Mr. Lee.

This movie changed the way I think about the homeless

[terrymaynard · 7/10 · 26 February 2017]

Thomas Haden Church nailed it as a homeless person. Very convincing acting. This movie showed to me that everyone (even homeless people) want their lives to count for something....at least being a friend to at least one person. I will in the future acknowledge homeless, and try to find some way to show their lives matter.

This Movie Will Bum You Out

[vegicat · 4/10 · 19 September 2016]

Not because it's about homeless people, or because it's sad or poignant -- because it's just not very good.

I can't fault the filming. It has most of the street atmosphere down. And, the lead actor is was very believable as a homeless person, Willy, at the beginning of the movie, but then it went downhill. The dude who played the homeless vet was good as well.

Where the film fell massively short was in the plot. It just wasn't consistent, and was disconnected -- like they tried to do a smashup of two different movies... one gritty, and one sugary-sweet like a Hallmark holiday movie. The only thing that could have made it worse would be if it had been set during Christmas.

Spoilers --------

No clue whatsoever what the writer thought the storyline about the little burn victim and her diary was going to add to the plot. It was just plain bad. Homeless dude finds a partially-burned book that turns out to be a young girl's diary. Which isn't written like a kid would write, at all. It's written like an adult used it to narrate the story, for lack of better ideas. Switching between the young girl reading it out loud (which sounded like a kid trying to read grown-up's words) and having the vet read other parts to Willy was annoying. It's not a diary, it's a monologue. Diary fail.

Why didn't Willy know how to read cursive? Why did he sometimes appear to be quite smart and perceptive, and then other times pulled a full-on Rainman? Is he supposed to be mentally ill or not? What's his backstory?

About the 'fight' scenes. Dropped the ball on that. It could have been a very sick and twisted setup that made commentary on how disposable homeless people are, but it was trying too hard to be a feel-good Lifetime Movie thing. It could really have been about entitled rich brats exploiting people who've fallen through the cracks, but it couldn't do that effectively because it was so busy trying to build a "heartwarming story" about some little burn victim and a homeless dude. A dude who, unlike most street-dwellers, doesn't drink or do drugs, and who, when offered a $5 blowjob, instead just asks the prostitute to "love him"? The prostitute was a completely forgettable Macy Gray, by the way.

The ending, where Willy magically manages to severely burn both of his hands from trying to retrieve the diary from the burning trash can the evil, spoiled rich kid threw it into, was just irritating. He somehow ends up in the same burn ward as a little kid? An adult man in with child burn victims? And then the end, where he sees her, she runs over and they hug, made me go into diabetic shock.

Oh, we get it -- they were both unwanted, but now they've found each other!

Such a shame. This could have been a good movie with a good actor, if the writers weren't determined to ruin it with crap about some kid's diary.

Really Mr.Church's best work

[cobrafix · 10/10 · 22 September 2016]

I don't really care about any body else's review . I'm an Er doc and I've seen homeless people for most of my life and career.He did a great job showing there desperation and how they have been abandoned.These people are human beings not to be manipulated and deserve the same respect as everyone else.It's not a popular fad to help someone in need .It's a need we should inherently have to help our own species.What else have we become ?Not driven by media but by emotion . Not by government and programs but by the the individual who gives that person a hug ( the burnt child that gives Mr Church in the final scene) .Thank you ,if you ever read this Mr Church.

Slow and seemingly without direction

[trashman-66341 · 7/10 · 24 November 2016]

If you don't have a natural sympathy for the homeless there's nothing to see here.

I felt the movie tries to give you: "a day in the life of..." kind of feeling. If you don't find yourself warming to the main character, again, turn it off.

If you do warm to him though, it's an enjoyable ride. I did find moments where the film tries to make you feel something but you don't and a few little cracks which will need your forgiveness. (I agree with another review on here, the main 'baddie' is a little too cliché and, considering his proposed intellect, would have used a clever bit of manipulation psychology rather than something I've seen a thousand times before.)

There are, however, hard hitting scenes where I responded emotionally whereas the movie took it's time, no dramatic music, no sentimentality. I loved those moments, really spot on. Great direction, script and acting.

The end scene I felt was under cooked and could have done with a bit more air time between the characters in question. I just don't think their emotional bond was that strong - that the film was relying on my buy in instead.

But all in all? Yeah, nice film, good acting, directing, script (for the most part, couple of forgives, no biggies) and it does what it's supposed to do.

Enjoyed.

military incorrectness

[md-88565 · 5/10 · 27 December 2016]

Not a terrible film... the only problem(s) i have is when you use a military reference in a movie use it correctly! staff sergeant and sergeant major are clearly different ranks! I hate when youse guys cant get this right, google it, ask a friend, or something... jeeze! how much money did you spend on this film? might be worth your while to do a bit a research, I've had a bit of experience in the military, i am a purple heart recipient as well, the movie is instantly ruined when your credibility goes out the window. The ending kind of sucked as well, forcing 2 men to fight as an answer seems pretty bizarre to me, was that your take home message? Two men seized an opportunity to entertain the world by paying homeless people to fight, your solution is to punish them? i think maybe you should look to solve the problem elsewhere in the chain. homeless people are getting paid, people are entertained, the worlds a better pace...

Currently available to watch on Amazon Prime this is a surprisingly good film and well worth a watch

[James_Denton · 7/10 · 21 April 2021]

This is a surprisingly good film. I put Cardboard Boxer (2016) on as a background film while doing other things, but ended up sitting down to finish it.

The film touches on a side of life perhaps few care to think about, or even know about. The hardship of homelessness mixed with an emotional story as the viewer shown a snapshot of Willies (played by Thomas Haden Church who played as the 'Sandman' in Spider-Man 3 (2007).

The film is:

• A blend of emotion, slow burn, poignant moments and at times action.

• Thomas Haden Church is fantastic in the role and helps make the film the success it is
• Is underrated in my opinion.

In summary, anyone looking for a film which is more than just one thing (i.e. Just emotion, or action) give this a try. It's currently available to watch on Amazon Prime.

Life and exploitation of the homeless

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 6 January 2020]

This small independent production shot on some of the meanest streets of Los Angeles is definitely worth a look. Thomas Haden Church produced and starred in this film about life as a homeless person and some people who look to exploit them.

Church plays a homeless man without hope or any kind of drive to rise above the place fate has put him. He's ripe for a rich punk like Rhys Whitfield who pays $50.00 to a pair of homeless to fight it out like gladiators in ancient Rome. Church starts building a reputation in underground circles. He's the Cardboard Boxer.

Church does a fine job as a man just looking for a bit of self worth. Not unlike Spartacus and in the end things happen in a Spartacus like way. And Whitfield is truly a punk's punk.

This one is a real sleeper, don't miss it.

The diary that found a homeless man.

[Reno-Rangan · 7/10 · 4 December 2016]

It's not what the title says. I mean it's not a sports film, but it has a little influence of that. Instead the title should have been related to the word 'diary'. Because that plays a main part in this narration. This is the story of a homeless man who one day finds a diary in the trash. The diary of a young girl who had lost her mother and living with her abusing uncle. So on, it reveals her unpleasant life, but he finds some similarities with her. So he writes the replies, but since he doesn't who she is and where she lives, it goes straight into the thin air as a paper plane. On the other side, he often makes money on the street fighting that one day does not go well. So after that where he ends is what brings the end to the tale.

A much appreciable small budget film. Feels like a sentimental theme, but was not exploited so well. I have seen Thomas Haden Church in many flicks, but never in a lead role like in this one. He was the whole film, a couple of other characters come into the frame very often. So he was good, but expected a lot more than that. The blame goes to the screenplay, but also I liked the simple drama. Simple is quite enjoyable than too much of twist and turns and developments. So if you are the guy who takes chances in B movies, this is the one. Not the best film, though a heartwarming conclusion favours it. I know that part was a bit offbeat, but acceptable. So I say go for it.

6.5/10

SIMPLY DISASTER...

[Orhoone · 1/10 · 25 August 2021]

THERE IS NO SCENARIO. RANDOM CINEMA STUDENTS CAME UP WITH A GLORIUS IDEA THAT A MOVIE WITHOUT A SCRIPT SHOULD BE SHOT. ACTORS WERE CHILLING WITH EACH OTHER.

A good drama with a hint of action

[matthijsalexander · 8/10 · 20 September 2016]

First of all.... don't be fooled by the word Boxer. I generally get thrown off by movies about boxers as I feel this gerne his been swallowed, digested and eventually ended up in the sewer through a process we all privately enjoy. Anyways, I think this film portrays the fear of every human: Loose everything, become homeless and adapt to the street life. I could not imagine, can you? Where do you go? What do you do? What does one do for entertainment? What does one do for money? This film, I think, provides a great glimpse into the life of a homeless man and reveals hardship, friendship and the ups and downs one may or may not encounter.

His love for his new found treasure, his thoughts, his emotions, his actions are captivating and intriguing. This movie will make you think, will make you appreciate, will touch your soul (I am a cold person and not easily touched or moved).

Enjoy this movie over candle light, with your better half. Men have a chance to appear empathetic and sympathetic, while still getting a bit of violence in. Win win.

Superb movie which will be greatly underestimated. Enjoy!

Excellent movie, but one major problem.

[wyplmaa · 7/10 · 19 December 2018]

First of all, the acting, script and subject matter of this movie puts it on par with any big budget movie I can think of. My only problem is the obvious anti-Christian portrayal of two people the lead character comes into contact with. Christianity isn't a person preaching on the street telling others about Christ and leaving them in their dire situation without doing anything else. Real Christians do preach on the street, but they also try to tend to the needs of others by providing food, clothing, a place to rest, medical care etc. This movie makes it seem as if the only thing Christians are concerned with is the eternal soul. While that is the primary concern of Christianity, the needs of people are also primary to the belief in Christ. Because Christ spent so much of His time feeding, clothing, healing those in need, His followers are called upon to do the same thing. When Jesus said "Follow Me", He was commanding His followers(believers/Christians) to follow in His footsteps, to live as He did. That doesn't mean you have to be a carpenter or live on the street, it means you live as much as possible as He did, and He helps you do this. It is impossible for man to please God, but when You accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord, Jesus' righteousness is applied to your life, God now only sees Jesus, His perfect Son. Watch the end of the movie, that is how a Christian behaves. No spoilers, just watch the movie, very fine movie, but add, God DOES care and He DOES command His followers to also care for others.

Great acting ,nice texture but lost between gritty and melodrama

[pajim · 5/10 · 23 January 2017]

I have the greatest respect for the acting in this piece. I am a fan of Mr.Church. Having lived in LA and have friends descend into homelessness and despair I was eager to watch this film. I realize this piece was relatively plot less but if it was character driven then I think it may be a little light on back-story. Granted one could assume much of this presented with the characters present situation and maybe was not necessary. The desperation of their lives is well portrayed. The let-down for me were a few points that others may find nit-picking. And I am sorry for that as I see many people liked the film. I found that Willy could be almost infantile in one scene and then be profound. I also had a difficult time reconciling his speaking to the girl in the diary as he though she was in heaven with the ending which made no sense. How does she have bandages on her face and body when he hits the street. Now she has old burn scars, he still has the same bandages and she finds him, the woman with the girl let's her hug this guy. Was that peek in the ICU it? The ending left me flat. Somebody should have woven the ending into the narrative to let it be the least bit plausible. Maybe the girl should have some sort of vision as well. If there was some sort of connection it could have been less of a jolt. So I am sorry but the ending sort of ruined what could have been really great for me.

The Cruel Reality

[arslanchaos · 10/10 · 30 November 2016]

This movie was just too much emotional. Easily one of the most touching movies i've ever seen. They way everything was portrayed i just went to tears most of the time in the movie specially when he asks to be human shield. No words to describe. Awesome acting and it made me feel as if i have lived as him , as a homeless. When a person lives as a normal person you probably forget about what type of life others might be living. Cardboard Boxer regardless of that titles lets you experience the life by a homeless person's view. Getting attached to the diary and considering it a friend and then pasting an image onto it since you just don't want to be alone. Getting money and feeding the dog just so he could be with you. It was truly a unique experience. It changes the way how you see homeless people out in the streets.

Pretty Good

[JakeRfilmfreak · 7/10 · 21 March 2023]

I thought this was a very good movie, and definitely was not what I was expecting. I thought going in, it was going to be the same kind of fighting for money film you've seen a hundred times. But was pleasantly surprised to see how they weaved the fighting part in with the main focus of the movie. Themes of loneliness and friendship really stick out huge with this story. And Thomas Haden Church did an incredible job with his performance.

I have to say I found the third act not as good as the rest of the film. I kept wondering how will this end, what will the payoff be. And once there although very sweet, I felt it leaves you kind of flat.

I would still say it's worth a watch 7/10.

A Great Movie You Probably Won't Watch

[fallguy_jack · 9/10 · 16 September 2016]

A powerful and well acted movie.

Thomas Hayden Church - Who? Was exactly the impression he left on me before this movie, then I looked the movie up here and clicked on his name because his face was familiar... oh ya, The Sandman from that weak spiderman movie and wings. Not really an impressive actor -

Until This.

The average person may not make if far through the movie because it removes them from their "out of sight, out of mind" comfort zone.

When the pathetic kind of people who watch bum fights find out there's more to it than that, they will be less inclined to give it a shot, but they're beyond help anyway.

The few with the constitution to watch this movie will not be disappointed. There's a kind of poetry in that I suppose... Just like this film.

P.S. Remember - Food Banks can do MUCH more with money than you can at a supermarket, they can get produce fresh straight from farmers at waay better prices. Half the crap food donated has to be thrown out anyway, so do everyone involved a favor and donate money to food banks.

Outstanding movie, realistic, no-bullcrap

[tafilint2003 · 10/10 · 25 March 2017]

This movie has a rating of only 6.4 while much worse movies get 7.0 or higher. Incredible. Is the audience that brainless, or do dirty producers hire Indian/Bangladesh companies to pump up their ratings, and decrease ratings of their competitors?

This movie is the real thing. Not some propaganda crap. It shows all the "glory" of war and veterans, life on the streets, crime, and the corruption of the government. It shows unpleasant stuff, things hidden from the media, so that ordinary people wouldn't see the reality.

For those who expect big explosions and car-races, this is not a movie for you. This one is much slower. But it grabs you. Because it's so real.