This character driven story about a young man with multiple talents seems a bit quaint, seventy years after the film. Joe (William Holden) plays the violin quite well; he also boxes quite well. One talent is more cerebral; the other is more physical. The two talents are somewhat mutually exclusive, since one needs uncorrupted hands to play the violin; yet uncorrupted hands are not likely when they're used in boxing matches.
The underlying theme here is about making personal decisions, whether to go down this road or that road. It's an interesting story. And the plot's second half especially is quite good. The story is based on a stage play. And the script is heavy on dialogue. The ending is all too familiar but conforms to story endings of that era.
The main problem is the casting and acting. Barbara Stanwyck looks too old for the role she plays. And Bill Holden hasn't the right physique to be a boxer; also, he looks too baby-faced. Lee J. Cobb plays Joe's father. But he overacts the somewhat elderly Italian role; that accent is way overdone. Joseph Calleia plays a bug-eyed gangster in a black hat; it's a stereotyped gangster performance.
Visually, the film has an old-fashioned look and feel. The home that Joe lives in with his father just reeks of nineteenth century Victorian decor. Lighting is a bit too dark. The film's Director did a poor job with Madison Square Garden crowd scenes toward the end; spectators look and act maniacally hysterical.
Boxing has become out of step, so to speak, with modern living. Which makes this element of the story quaint. But if one keeps in mind the underlying theme of making personal decisions, "Golden Boy" will resonate with most modern viewers.
The underlying theme here is about making personal decisions, whether to go down this road or that road. It's an interesting story. And the plot's second half especially is quite good. The story is based on a stage play. And the script is heavy on dialogue. The ending is all too familiar but conforms to story endings of that era.
The main problem is the casting and acting. Barbara Stanwyck looks too old for the role she plays. And Bill Holden hasn't the right physique to be a boxer; also, he looks too baby-faced. Lee J. Cobb plays Joe's father. But he overacts the somewhat elderly Italian role; that accent is way overdone. Joseph Calleia plays a bug-eyed gangster in a black hat; it's a stereotyped gangster performance.
Visually, the film has an old-fashioned look and feel. The home that Joe lives in with his father just reeks of nineteenth century Victorian decor. Lighting is a bit too dark. The film's Director did a poor job with Madison Square Garden crowd scenes toward the end; spectators look and act maniacally hysterical.
Boxing has become out of step, so to speak, with modern living. Which makes this element of the story quaint. But if one keeps in mind the underlying theme of making personal decisions, "Golden Boy" will resonate with most modern viewers.