Homeboy (1988)

It is a performances centric movie

Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

What I love about 'Homeboy' (1988) so very much, its sweet, adorable and cute as opposed to its antithesis the quintessential puglirist Rocky which plunges the protagonist, after his crisis, into that fateful whirlwind for the Rocky series, this is no series, for there is no tripping on the lights fantastic moment, Johnny Walker is one of Rocky's stand-in beat up guys on the Champ's road to the top, but Mickey Rourke poses a wonderful question with this amazing write, 'This is still a human no? Even with his faults, does he not deserve a chance for his wonderful life?" Whether Johnny is in a band, or an artist or a plumber it does not matter, Fighting is what Mickey chose for Johnny as his vehicle to convey this universal message and ultimately transport us and finally transcend with one answer for the anti-hero Johnny Walker, yes he does, he does deserve his chance at a wonderful life! Unlike Rocky, this tale is gentle in its woebegone unfateful moment for a guy that is a descent boxer, whose biggest muscle is his heart, whose given up his cognizance for what he feels he does best, but in the wake of many a beatings he has lost enough for shiftless characters to take advantage of poor Johnny, who is one of the many lost souls who just really wants, needs to be held, who longs for the acceptance of a mother, of a father, who wants a shot at a universal give and take relationship based on love. As the tale unfolds we see the character tote the line between success and failure, good and bad, love and hate, reality and dreams unfortunately held too long which culminate to an appalling consequence held by beautiful youthful eyes fettered in a self-destructive habitude as the aging body crumbles and anon succumbs as our wayward stripling forges on with regret. Could he had been Rocky or just another has-been? But Johnny is not just another contender for his heart is his closest warrior in the biggest battles of life, to find a personal refuge. For Johnny there are no big flashy big fight sequences parlayed with big orgiastic parties, what I am saying is, there is life for the guy who is the punching bag in life and sometimes good things can happen even after a long string of unfortunate events, because sometimes its not just about winning, its about living and Eddie Cook, I feel composed one of the finest screenplays ever. Stellar in its raw simplicity. Mickeyyyyyyyyy!

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.

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?

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.