User reviews

Mickey Rourke's genuine love for the sport of boxing is evident in both his writing style and in his acting as the main character in his boxing genre film Homeboy. Rourke plays a somewhat dim-witted, booze drinking, over the hill cowboy dressing boxer named Johnny Walker, whose only means of eking out a bearable living is by getting back in to the ring travelling from boxing venue to boxing venue and fighting the local 'homeboys", where the judges seem to favor the local homeboy.

I believe that sometimes we the audience will see an actor portray a character that just does not seem believable on the big screen simply because the actors' previous body of work influences the audience to expect to see the actor play a similar type character as in his previous roles on camera. In the case of Mickey Rourke, we are used to seeing him play leading tough guy roles as he did earlier on his career as in his 1980's films where he was usually portrayed as the handsome leading man as in The Pope of Greenwich Village, 9 ½ Weeks, Rumble Fish or in Diner. And then Mickey chooses to write a screenplay where he portrays a dim witted over the hill booze laden boxer who falls for a carnival girl of his dreams.

Mickey just shows us time and time again that he is not afraid to explore new characters (as in his Academy Award Best Actor nomination in the 2008 film, The Wrestler) and he refuses to be stereotyped in his acting roles. What I liked about the film Homeboy most was the character Johnny Walker portrayed with a quirky distorted smile that enjoyed the most simple things in life, such as hot walking the carnival ponies along the sandy beach, or just being held by his carnival girlfriend Ruby played by Debra Feuer.

There are also good performances played by the seasoned actor Christopher Walken and Kevin Conway. Walken plays Wesley Pendergrass a thief with grand illusions of wealth and expensive clothes. Wesley's grifter character plays opposite Johnny Walkers poor cowboy boxer character and in some ways a comparison can be drawn towards the earlier Academy Award winning 1969 film Midnight Cowboy starring Jon Voight (Joe Buck) and Dustin Hoffman's (Ratso) characters.

Kevin Conway plays a grimy cop named Grazziano who is closing in on Wesley's grifter activities and he has a soft spot for Johnny Walker's character and tells Johnny while chomping on an apple that Johnny needs to know his various types of apples and to live his own life. The audience can interpret this exchange of dialogue between Grazziano the cop and Johnny the downtrodden cowboy boxer that he should stay away from that bad apple Wesley because he is up to no good.

The actual boxing scenes in the ring were not the greatest, but I understand that spending a ton of money on the movies production is better spent on building the characters (Rourke, Feuer, Walken and Conway) then it would be on spending on a few minutes of boxing choreography. The last fifteen minutes are very appealing as we see what will happen to the struggling boxer Johnny Walker, his new found grifter friend Wesley looking for that one big score, and Johnny's girlfriend Ruby who is struggling financially to hold on to her deceased fathers carnival business. Who will win and who will lose in the life battles we all face in one way or another? All in all, I liked the film and I give it a 7 out of 10 rating. If you like Mickey Rourke, and you like a gritty under achiever, then Homeboy will not disappoint you.

Though there certainly are enough fight scenes to call this a boxing film, it is more of a slowly evolving study of some interesting, but loser-type characters. Do not expect "Rocky" and you just might enjoy "Homeboy". Eric Clapton's music adds immeasurably, and the acting is solid. Christopher Walken and Mickey Rourke carry the movie. The love interest, Debra Feuer, is quite unremarkable. I liked it, some may think it is too slow moving, but that is sometimes a price worth paying, for strong character development. There is a message here to believe in yourself, no matter what the odds against you. Recommended. - MERK

Johnny Walker (Mickey Rourke) is a struggling boxer at the end of his road. He gets a surprise win and is befriended by sleazy promoter Wesley Pendergrass (Christopher Walken). He falls for Ruby, the owner of a struggling seaside carnival.

Rourke is doing a forerunner to a much better film 20 years later. It's essentially the same character and the same performance. The girlfriend is rather bland and the actress isn't doing much. As for Walken, he deserves better. He needs more screen time and his character is doing weird things for no reason. I knew he was in trouble when he starts singing and the ending is doing another weird thing. He's wasted in this. Rourke would get his reward later but in this, he shows the potential.

A poignant, depressing, gloomy drama about a loser splendidly played by Mickey Rourke for a character that seemed to be made especially for him. I also would have imagined Steve McQueen in this film, I don't know why.... My all times favourite from M. R, more than YEAR OF THE DRAGON for instance. Not destined for sure to large audiences, those silly people craving for super f...heroes whilst eating their popcorn. . This may be painful to watch if you are plenty involved into the character. Mickey Rourke should have won an Academy Awards for this incredible performance, sort of THE WRESTLER, twenty years ahead.

Mickey Rourke is a boxer who winds up in Asbury Park, New Jersey. He begins a relationship with Debra Feuer (Rourke real-life wife at the time) who owns a run-down amusement park, as well as a friendship with Christopher Walken, a bad lounge singer whose real job is robbery.

Miss Feuer's park is on its last legs, Walken plans a big job by robbing some Chasidic jewelers, and Rourke takes a big fight, not knowing he has a brain problem that can kill him if he's hit in the temple.

It's Michael Seresin's only movie as director. He took the opportunity to have DP Gale Tattersall shoot in the night-time rain. Visually a feast, excellent performances, this story about losers whose dreams are too big for them kept my attention all the way through.

This garbage passes for art! Give me a break! Mickey Rourke plays a disgusting, low-life, club-fighter named Johnny Walker. Rourke's performance shows him spiting on the floor, spitting at people, and generally just waiting to spit. Aside from constant spiting, he blows his nose on the ring canvas and in the dressing room floor. He puts together 5 word phrases and generally struts around waiting to spit or blow his nose. The film has such garbage lines as , " Hey Johnny, you want an apple?" The film is slow moving, dull, and moves at a snail's pace. The fight scenes are overly long and basically show Rourke spiting, making faces, and blowing his nose. There is no romantic spark between Rourke and his love interest Debra Feur. The gist of their interactions is Feur asking Rourke, "Where did you come from?" Homeboy is pure junk. Catch Mickey in the Pope of Greenich Village or The Year of The Dragon.

Cliche and characters that are flat. Horrible sound. These actors did ok but went on to do much better movies.

Horrible movie. After watching it I read that Mickey Rourke wrote it. This makes sense. Actors all want to be writers, and vice versa. Fortunatly, we don't have to see writers trying to be actors. But we do see certain actors take a stab at writing. Some actors do a great job writing films, others do a horrible job. Like Rourke. Rouke took a stab at modern boxing noir, and stabs the audience with cliché characters, and dialog that is trying for Cassevettes but is more fitting to an episode of 'Melrose Place'. Rourke is a good actor, but his acting in this film is horrendous. He proves that even if you don't say a word you can still overact. His character is completely unbelievable. He resembles a comic book palooka, has an extended chin, and walks around like he's trying to be menacing, like he's imitating some real life mean looking guy he knew once who wasn't a rich, trouble actor haunted by natural good looks; Rourke would probably give anything in the world to be a born loser with 'nothing to lose'... but then he'd never be able to write and star in films, would he? The characters around him, all having a kick with Rourke's lame dialog somehow (what else can they do?), attempt to keep things afloat. But you cannot save a sinking ship. How is it that a much lower actor, Sly Stallone, can write a ten times better boxing movie, and can act ten times better. The character Rocky Balboa was believable. Rourke's character was not. Even his name was pretentious: Johnny Walker (get it?) I'll repeat: this movie is horrible. The love story is horrible. The action is horrible. The acting is horrible. The music is good, thanks to Eric Clapton. But everything else stinks.

Rourke's Homeboy is accentuated with an excellent musical score. The story might appear "old fashioned" (i.e. 1940's US) to some, but watch the movie again and delve deeper - there is more than first meets the eye. Rourke's shy, awkward Johnny Walker is a memorable character. Walken fans shouldn't miss this one.

This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen in my life it's so bad though it's good it's almost comical how you want to see just how much worse you can get Mickey Rourke is a struggling boxer who says maybe one word the entire movie Christopher Walken's character is an absolute joke the premise is that of a washed up something boxer that has absolutely nothing to going on no brains no drive nothing, Each character is poorly developed the screenplay is terrible the acting is terrible like I said it's almost worth watching just to see how bad it gets but that's about it! It's worst movie I've ever seen.

The cast initially got my attention so i felt it was worth a look. Fine direction and cinematography also get much praise in its attempt to salvage this bomb. Unfortunately none of these things can save a bad script or screenplay. Very predictable, very cliched. Seeing Walken and Rourke was worth the two hour experience and the supporting cast was excellent as well but it was just a very shallow story with little substance and rehashed plot twists that really bordered on corny at times. With so many fine stories and books written over the years it baffles me why hollywood would choose such a turkey to spend money on.

Homeboy is a fantastic film. Not only is it one of my favourite boxing films, it is also one of my favourite films in general. It is about Johnny Walker, a down-and out boxer who has just recently moved into a sea-side resort. Upon arriving, he falls in love with Ruby, a carnival owner who shares a lot in common with Johnny, who it appears Johnny is fighting for.

Johnny, who is played by Mickey Rourke, also befriends Wesley Pendergrass (Christopher Walken). Wesley and Johnny form a strong friendship, and it's Rourke's idolisation of Wesley that intriges me. Wesley wants to use Johnny, and half-way through the film he asks Johnny for a favour. Johnny has to choose between the love of Ruby (Debra Feuer)or the friendship of Wesley.

Rourke and Walken give excellent performances and Debra Feur gives quite an exceptional performances as well. The music, by Eric Clapton, provides the film with deep emotion.

People have slated this film and I really cannot see why. I give this film 10/10.

In homeboy which Mick wrote, he plays a 2nd rate boxer who'll never run with the big boys because he is undisciplined and a alcoholic. Soon Mick befriends Wesley(Walken) a thief and falls in love with a beautiful carnival owner Ruby (Feuer). Homeboy is a dreary little gem with quirky performances from the leads and also shows that Mick has a soft side. A must for all Mick fans. Check it out!

Homeboy is a haunting and outstanding drama. Micket Rourke turns in an amazing performance as Johnny Walker and Christopher Walken's role is memorable. The film's soundtrack is excellent. The plot revolves around Johnny Walker, a down and out, aged boxer who falls for a girl and has hopes of making it big. Johnny meets Walken's character who trys to get Walker into some bad things. The film is depressing and hopeful. It is very sad at parts but the film really is amazing. You must read under the surface of things. A must see for Rourke fans!!! The acting is excellent but I feel the film could have been better if there was more emphasis on things.

A lot can be written about the derailing of Mickey Rourke's career... But when reflecting on the the reasons he achieved such recognition to begin with... One has to review Homeboy. The man had real talent as an actor and it is a shame that he is more remembered for phoned in performances than the highlights. Homeboy is one of the highlights. A very complete method performance that regardless of commercial stereotypes stays true to the characters created and the world they're in.

This is a real picture of a fighter way past his prime who gets a second chance at inspiration. But this is not the Rocky world where a theme song and a jog around the park give the character new life. This is a real character at the bottom of the bucket trying to reach up. And the mistakes of a lifetime are not easily overcome in this film.

Also Alan Parker's longtime cinematographer Michael Serensin makes his directing debut. Sadly it also ends his directing career. But the screen is always wonderfully alive under his direction both gritty and flashy in unison.

The support cast is wonderfully strong including one of the best minor support roles Christopher Walken has ever delivered.

I highly recommend this film for fans of smaller unconventional character dramas. If you want stereotypes... watch something else.

I worked in Asbury Park a few blocks away from most of the scenes. at lunch time and after work and evenings I watched some of the scenes being filmed. What a great experience.Difficult to see the stars. I saw O Rourke a few time from a half block away. he had his own trailer. One experience Ill never forget was walking down Cookman Ave and seeing this actor walking towards me. Who was he? A girl asked for his autograph and he happily complied. then he walked past me and as I was still trying to remember his name he said "hi" to me and I said 'HI". The next next day the local paper which was reporting the filming every day supplied the answer.Christopher Walken!! Nice guy. One evening I watched the car scene down Cookman with the robbers disguised as orthodox Jews. and the car went by over and over for about an hour! kind of boring after awhile. no stars were there either. Couldn t wait to see the movie but it never really came out. a very limited release. took me a few years to find it on tv and buy the VHS tape! I thought it was a great film but very bleak and depressing. acting was superb and location was where I worked every day so it was a fantastic viewing. For over a month I walked around the various locations where they were filming,all the places I knew. So I give it a ten for all these reasons. If i didn't see the filming I would say a 7.

Back in 1988 I was called in by a modeling agency to try out for a part in the movie Homeboy. I did not even know who Mickey Rourke was at that time. As I stood on the sidewalk waiting for direction, Christopher Walken walked up dressed in a policeman's uniform (which was weird because he didn't play a cop in the movie) and offered me a cup of coffee. I was chosen to do the opening scene for the bar, (legs walking with black lace)I also got to be in the scene where everyone is hanging out around the bar as Mickey dances on top of the with the black chick. I previously owned two copies of the movie but due to a fire I lost both copies and am now looking to purchase a copy to have to give to my daughter and my grandchildren. Can anyone tell me where I can purchase a copy?

I'm really fond of this movie and watched it originally in a cinema in Paris (along with 'Barfly'), This is my all time favourite Mickey Rourke pictures. He's excellent in the role and later even became a pro boxer. There have been some authentic boxing films such as 'Fat City', 'Raging Bull' and more recently 'The Fighter' but this is moving and heartfelt. Really touching in moments and also stars the rather wonderful Christopher Walken. Sort of plays like a pugilistic version of 'Midnight Cowboy'. Rourke was in fact, trained for the part by the ex middleweight champ Iran Barkley, who was also the opponent in the first (exciting) fight scene.

This ain't Rocky, this is far more realistic as a movie, it takes place in the blood, sweat and tears and dirt and snot and slime of the 80's boxing ''local'' boxing scene. When people didn't had cellphone to get entertained and boxing was popular and some kind of a local entertainement. Wow, seriously, I watched the wrestler many times and never heard of this movie, the washed-up boxer Micky Rourke plays is as lovable as the washed-up wrestler we saw in the 2008 movie. Homeboy is the same kind of movie but different and the only thing they have in common beside having Mr. Rour key as their star is that their main characters hold on to their passion/job cause they don'the know anything else and it'seems the only thing they are good at. Even if their health is at risk. If you like fallen heroes, you'll fall in love with that movie, the cinematography is great, the music enhance the mood of the scenes (Clapton guitar work) and its something only Mickey Rourke can do as well as this. The only bad thing I noticed was the sound of the boxing gloves hitting was kind of weird, it's really important thing, especially in boxing flick, that you need to feel those punches via the sound effects they make. Watch that movie, you'll be disappointed.