Price of Glory
By Nell Minow,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Dances a fine line between PG-13 and R.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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What's the Story?
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."
Is It Any Good?
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!"
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how parents find a way to balance their dreams for their kids with the kids dreams for themselves.
Movie Details
- In theaters: March 31, 2000
- On DVD or streaming: November 14, 2000
- Cast: Jimmy Smits, Jon Seda, Ron Perlman
- Director: Carlos Avila
- Inclusion Information: Latinx actors
- Studio: New Line
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Run time: 118 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: violence, language and brief drug content
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
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