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Homeboy (1988)

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5 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

Rourke has usually played knock-nutty, but this time, as an ageing boxer from Arkansas, at least he has an alibi. Johnny Walker winds up at a run-down seaside resort, is befriended by small-time entertainer and petty thief Wesley (Walken), and falls for The Nice Girl (Feuer) who runs the carousel and pony rides. Resisting Wesley's plan to rob some orthodox Jews of diamonds, Johnny fights for the big purse, although he knows that with his cranium one blow can kill him (he needs the money to repair the carousel, see). Rourke is credited with the story, and it's a compendium of his screen characteristics - the inner tenderness postulate that can only be reached by cracking the kernel against the wall for reel upon reel, the preposterous walk, gobbing in two kinds (blood and saliva), lots of up-ended bottles, and very sparse dialogue. Sentimental and self-indulgent, with snot added.

Author: BC

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

mike said...

Posted on Apr 30 2010 18:18 the soundtrack is worse than the movie. talk about over-indulgent. clapton is good. we all know it. all his stuff sounds the same though.

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CS said...

Posted on Feb 11 2010 12:34 Really enjoyed this film. Looks pretty dated now in a very late 80s way and the soundtrack, sorry PRR, is too mushy and sentimental for words but overall Mickey Rourke draws you in, Christopher Walken plays a very convincing arrogant criminal and his typical junkie, loser sidekick is very believable too. Very similar premise to The Wrestler which is a bit of a coincidence and by the end you really was Johnny (Rourke) to come out fighting......so to speak!

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josh said...

Posted on Oct 07 2009 04:29 does he die at the end or not

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josh said...

Posted on Oct 07 2009 03:48 did he die or not at the end

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PRR said...

Posted on Oct 15 2007 05:20 Johnny Walker is a cowboy and a boxer. He is very shy and a bit of a fool. He is in love with Ruby, but he cannot tell her. He is also a bit old to keep on boxing, but its the only thing he does well. Rourke captures how cruel life can be. This film is moody and dark, but at the same time soulful and beautiful. Mickey Rourke does a supreme job as Johnny. It's a masterpiece that is wonderfully crafted by Rourke aka "Eddie Cook". The soundtrack is one of the best fil music work by Eric Claption. Beautiful acoustic guitar work - a definite must have.

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