Price of Glory (PG-13, 2000)

In PRICE OF GLORY, Arturo Ortega (Jimmy Smits) is patriarch of "The Fighting Ortegas." Each of Ortega's sons faces his own challenges. Sonny, the oldest, wants to marry his girlfriend and make his own decisions. Jimmy struggles to gain dad's approval, and, when he feels that is impossible, becomes involved with drugs. Johnny, the youngest and most talented, wants to be his father's "avenging angel" and make up to him not only for the disappointment of his own career, but also for his disappointment in the older two boys. Arturo wants to manage his sons all the way to the title, but he's a better boxing instructor than a manager. And he knows more about both than he does about being a father. Someone has to be killed before he can admit that though he tried to give his sons more, "maybe less would have been better, less of me."

In the 1940s, this movie would have starred John Garfield and been on the lower half of a double feature. In 2000, it stars Jimmy Smits as the father who pushes his three boys to be championship boxers, because his own dreams of being a champion were dashed. Despite the attractive performances, the movie is k-o'd in the first round by a cliche-filled script with dialogue that has a higher specific gravity than a heavyweight contender.

Come on, recite along with me as papa Jimmy Smits argues with mama Maria del Mar: "Do colleges give scholarships for boxing?" "I'm just thinking about their future." "So am I, damnit!" "I'm their manager!" "No, Arturo, you're their father!" "It's not about the money -- it's about being the best!"

Studio: New Line
Director: Carlos Avila
Cast: Jimmy Smits, Jon Seda, Ron Perlman
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 118 minutes
Theatrical release: March 31, 2000
DVD release: November 14, 2000
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: violence, language and brief drug content