The “mockumentary” format is a tried and true genre. The notion of a camera crew following subjects in their daily lives and acted out has always been a fascinating blend of fiction with a nonfiction format. The genre has mostly been popular with sitcom TV shows like The Office, Parks and Rec, Abbot Elementary, What We Do In The Shadows, and countless others, the genre also has been what made us know who Borat is and a few other films that have been successful utilizing the format. It works very well with comedies, especially to have people blankly stare at the camera when something cringy and hilarious happens. However, using the filmmaking style for a dramatic film isn’t as common. However cinematographer who primarily shoots documentaries combines the documentary style with the dramatic in his feature debut The Featherweight.
The Featherweight follows real-life boxer Willie Pep (James Madio). Pep was the world featherweight champion from 1942 to 1950. In his 26-year boxing career, Pep has fought more than 241 boxing matches (229 wins, 11 losses, 1 draw), making him one of the most celebrated boxers ever. While most sports biopics usually focus on the athlete’s coming up to becoming the best (Rocky being the most famous of this style), The Featherweight instead focuses on what happens after the glory has been achieved and lost. What’s life for a retired washed-up boxer like after he’s no longer on top of the world? Pep is selling autographs and merchandise and making appearances with his most famous nemesis Sandy Saddler (Lawrence Gilliard Jr.) who also has seen better days. Unsatisfied with his current stage in life, he wants to mount a comeback and get back into the ring, so he hires a documentary crew to follow him around.
One interesting thing that The Featherweight does is focus on Willie’s insecurities and his home life that’s not as rosy as one would expect. His much younger wife Linda (Ruby Wolf) is an aspiring actress who clashes with his mother. He’s also insecure and not confident in himself as he still thinks he’s the best in the world, even though the writing’s on the wall that he’s past his prime, he even gets ridiculed in public appearances. He has an estranged relationship with his adult son Billie Jr. (Keir Gilchrist) also displays his chaotic family life and the fact that the only thing he really has going for him is his boxing career. His former trainer Bill (Stephen Lang) thinks he’s over the hill as well. Even his “biggest fan” sportswriter Bill Lee (Michael Siberry) can’t bring himself to say that Willie is over the hill. So, Willie has a lot to prove.
Using the mockumentary style, The Featherweight does a great job and utilizes the genre for great effect. Sometimes characters interact with the “film crew” (like asking a crew member for a cigarette), and other times they talk to the camera interview-styled. Another thing the film does effectively is capture the time period effectively. From the production capturing the aesthetic look of 1964 (from homes to clothes, to houses, to cars, etc), to the grainy look of how documentary films would look during that time. The Featherweight is very effective as making you feel it’s real life and not a dramatic reinterpretation due to how effective the filmmaking and the acting is.
If you’re a fan of a big “final match” finale that’s usually associated with sports dramas, The Featherweight probably isn’t the film for you. It chooses instead to focus on the personal conflict of a guy over the hill who wants to go back and get back to doing what he’s best at. It’s his insecurities, personal relationships, and his determination to prove to everyone (especially himself) that is the true “fight” of the film, and for that, it’s a knockout!
The Featherweight is now playing in New York and Connecticut (Willie Pep’s hometown) and will be in Los Angeles on September, 27th.
