Glass Chin 2015
Directed by
Noah Buschel
Made by
Phase 4 Films
Plot Summary
Bud Gordon, portrayed by Corey Stoll, is a once-renowned boxing champion who has fallen from grace, now leading a life shrouded in disappointment alongside his girlfriend, Ellen Doyle, played by Marin Ireland. The bitter taste of his last match’s unexpected defeat clings to him, rendering him a figure of ridicule in the boxing world, forever marked by the humiliating title of “glass chin”. In a desperate attempt to regain his footing, Bud takes on the role of mentor for Kid Sunshine, a promising young welterweight contender, portrayed by Malcolm Xavier, as they prepare for an upcoming fight.
Things take a dramatic turn when Bud encounters JJ Cook, a shrewd and ruthless Manhattan entrepreneur and crime lord, brought to life by Billy Crudup. JJ offers Bud a seemingly lucrative partnership: he is to act as a debt collector alongside Roberto Flash, played by Yul Vazquez, an adept enforcer working for JJ. However, as Bud and Roberto embark on their grim assignment, things quickly spiral out of control. When Bud is tasked with discreetly entering a debtor’s apartment with Roberto, his partner goes missing, leaving Bud alone and vulnerable in a treacherous situation.
The fallout from this job unveils a shocking reality; the debtor has been murdered, and Bud finds himself ensnared as the prime suspect. Upon contacting the seemingly absent Roberto, Bud realizes he has been merely a pawn in JJ’s malicious scheme. JJ possesses damning evidence, which he threatens to use against Bud, coercing him to manipulate the outcome of Kid Sunshine’s upcoming match — to ensure a loss, or face severe consequences.
As Bud wrestles with a moral dilemma, his once-solid relationship with Ellen begins to unravel amidst the pressure. It becomes evident that JJ orchestrated Bud’s previous fight, leading to his humiliation. Outside Kid Sunshine’s locker room, Roberto passionately urges Bud to do the right thing, stressing the importance of letting his protégé lose, but the sands of time may have already slipped away.
As the fateful fight commences, the sounds of the commentators fill the air, and against all odds, Kid Sunshine manages to survive the first round. While Bud listens anxiously from the confines of his limousine, the piercing wail of police sirens breaks through the tension, prompting him to mutter an ominous phrase: > “Right hand lead.”
Timeline
Bud's Fall from Grace
Bud Gordon, once a celebrated boxing champion, now lives in disappointment after suffering a humiliating defeat in his last match. This loss has marked him with the derisive nickname 'glass chin', making him a figure of ridicule in the boxing world.
Mentoring Kid Sunshine
In an effort to rebuild his tarnished reputation, Bud takes on the role of mentor to Kid Sunshine, a promising young welterweight boxer. As they train together for an upcoming fight, Bud hopes to ignite a spark of success that could redeem his past.
Encounter with JJ Cook
Bud's life takes a darker turn when he meets JJ Cook, a powerful and ruthless crime lord. JJ offers Bud a shady partnership that involves debt collection, luring Bud deeper into a world of crime and corruption.
The Debt Collection Job
Bud, alongside enforcer Roberto Flash, begins their grim assignment as debt collectors for JJ. The atmosphere is tense as the two partners approach the debtor's apartment, setting the stage for unforeseen dangers ahead.
Roberto Goes Missing
While they are supposed to collect the debt, Roberto vanishes unexpectedly, leaving Bud alone and vulnerable. This moment transforms into a shocking turning point as Bud realizes the gravity of the situation he is in.
Murder and Accusation
Bud discovers that the debtor has been murdered, with evidence pointing towards him as the prime suspect. This shocking turn of events reveals JJ’s treachery, as Bud realizes he has been used as a pawn in a dangerous game.
Threats from JJ
JJ confronts Bud with damaging evidence, coercing him into manipulating Kid Sunshine's upcoming match. Bud faces an agonizing choice: to betray his protégé or face severe consequences from the crime lord.
Relationship Strain
Amidst the pressure from JJ, Bud's relationship with his girlfriend Ellen begins to deteriorate. The stress of the situation causes tension between them, highlighting the personal cost of Bud's entanglement with crime.
The Fight's Urgency
As the day of the fight approaches, Bud feels the weight of responsibility and the urgency of JJ's demands. Outside Kid Sunshine's locker room, Roberto implores Bud to let Kid lose for the sake of their safety, igniting a moral conflict within Bud.
Fight Night Begins
The much-anticipated fight commences, and the commentators’ voices fill the arena with excitement. Bud watches anxiously from his limousine, his mind racing as he contemplates the implications of the choices he has made.
Kid Sunshine's Performance
Against all odds, Kid Sunshine perseveres through the first round of the fight. Bud's heart races as he holds his breath, torn between his desire for Kid to succeed and the ultimatum set before him.
Police Sirens and Realization
As police sirens wail in the background, Bud is driven to utter a foreboding phrase: 'Right hand lead.' This moment captures the impending chaos that threatens to engulf both his life and the life of Kid Sunshine.
Choices and Consequences
Bud is confronted with the reality of his choices as the repercussions of his actions come to a head. He must decide whether to follow through with JJ's demands or stand up for Kid Sunshine and risk everything.
Climax of the Fight
The fight reaches its climax as tensions soar and the stakes are raised. Bud watches anxiously, fully aware that the decisions he makes in this moment will define not only his future but also that of his protégé.
Facing the Fallout
Ultimately, Bud must face the fallout of his decisions, with the outcome of the fight likely determining the rest of their lives. He must confront the murky waters of redemption and the personal costs of what he's had to sacrifice.
Characters
Bud Gordon (Corey Stoll)
Bud Gordon is the film's protagonist, a once-celebrated boxing champion haunted by his past failures. His character embodies the struggles of facing consequences from poor choices while trying to redeem himself through mentorship. Bud's determination is juxtaposed with vulnerability, showcasing a man desperate to regain his former glory while navigating a dark and treacherous world.
Ellen Doyle (Marin Ireland)
Ellen Doyle is Bud's girlfriend, whose relationship with him becomes increasingly strained as the plot unfolds. She represents the emotional anchor in Bud's life but also becomes a victim of the external pressures he faces. Ellen's character highlights the difficulties of maintaining love and support in the face of adversity.
JJ Cook (Billy Crudup)
JJ Cook is a manipulative and ruthless crime lord who exploits Bud's desperation for his own gain. His character embodies the darker aspects of ambition, representing a world where power and coercion reign. JJ's threats and machinations propel Bud into a moral quandary, testing the boundaries of loyalty and integrity.
Kid Sunshine (Malcolm Xavier)
Kid Sunshine is a promising young boxer and the protégé of Bud Gordon, representing hope and the potential for success in the boxing world. His character serves as a catalyst for Bud's journey, symbolizing the innocence that is at stake in the face of corruption. Kid Sunshine's passion and determination contrast sharply with the grim realities that surround them.
Setting
Time period
The movie is set in contemporary times, a period marked by the complexities and challenges of modern life. It reflects a world where personal struggles intersect with crime and moral dilemmas, revealing the darker side of ambition and the pursuit of success.
Location
Manhattan
Manhattan is a vibrant and densely populated borough of New York City, known for its iconic skyline and bustling streets. It serves as a major financial and cultural center, often associated with power and ambition. However, beneath its surface lies a realm of crime and corruption, where the gritty reality contrasts sharply with its affluent exterior.
Themes
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Redemption
Redemption plays a central role in the story as Bud Gordon seeks to reclaim his lost dignity and regain respect within the boxing community. His journey from a fallen champion to a mentor illustrates the struggle to overcome past failures and the desire for a second chance. This theme reflects the broader human experience of striving for improvement despite overwhelming odds.
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Moral Dilemma
The film explores the theme of moral dilemma as Bud faces a critical choice that pits his integrity against the pressure from a crime lord. This internal conflict places him in a compromising position, forcing him to choose between his values and survival. The struggle is further complicated by his relationships, adding emotional weight to his decision-making process.
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Relationships
The strain on Bud's relationship with Ellen Doyle highlights the impact of external pressures on personal connections. As he grapples with his responsibilities and moral choices, their bond begins to fray, emphasizing how ambition and the pursuit of redemption can lead to isolation and the deterioration of love. This theme illustrates the balance between personal desires and the needs of those we care about.
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