STREETS OF GOLD

US, 1986, 95 minutes, Colour.
Adrian Pasdar, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Angela Molina, Wesley Snipes, John Mahoney.
Directed by Joe Roth.

Streets of Gold is a boxing film. It is obviously in the vein of the Rocky series and came soon after Rocky's exploit with the Russian champion in Rocky IV. This is a very good natured film. It gains its strength from its star Klaus Maria Brandauer, the Austrian star of such films Mephisto, Colonel Redl, Hanussen, as well as Out of Africa and Never Say Never Again. His co-star is the Spanish actress Angela Molina, who has appeared in many significant Spanish films.

The local Coney Island hero is Adrian Pasdar (Top Gun, Near Dark). Brandauer is a Russian emigre, Jewish, who was a boxing champion in the Soviet Union but was not allowed to compete, because of his Jewish background and clashed with his coach. In Coney Island, he befriends some boxers and then trains them for a championship match between the United States and the Soviet Union (and his old coach foe). There is no surprise in the ending. Also in the cast as the team manager is John Mahoney. The film is set in Coney Island and uses its Brooklyn locations very well. There are the expected scenes of training and the final bout. Director is Joe Roth, a producer who also directed Revenge of the Nerds 2 and the interesting Coup de Ville.

1. Entertaining boxing film? Piece of Americana? In the Rocky tradition?

2. Coney Island locations, the beaches and streets, the buildings, gymnasium, cafes? The choreography and editing of the boxing training and bouts? Musical score?

3. The title, immigrants to America, the stories of the streets paved with gold? The reality of poverty and the reality of success?

4. Klaus Maria Brandauer as Alec: screen presence, arrival in Coney Island, looking at his room, the boarding house, the guests, friendship with Elena? His doing the wash up jobs, drinking, clashing with fellow workers? Wandering the streets? Not paved with gold? The gymnasium, watching the fight? Interest in the boxers, taunting Roland, bout in the street? The young white boxer watching him? His approach for training, Alec's decision, change in his own life? The training regime, leading the boxer on, early in the morning, sparring, training? The resistance of the boxer? Roland and his interest, clashes, joining the team, the double training? His change of attitude towards people, towards the United States? Love for Elana? His going to see the manager, persuading him to sign up the two as part of the team against the Soviet boxers? The dilemma with Roland wanting to become professional, the dinner and the clashes? Change of heart? Preparation for the bout? The fight in the street, Roland's hand being slashed? The build-up to the bout, the encounter in the locker room with the previous coach? The fight, victory? Transformation of the migrant?

5. The young boxer, bashing, hopes? With Roland? Watching Alec, asking him to help, the training and its demands, his previous manager and the poor deals with money? His girlfriend? Friendship with Alec, with Roland, past rivalries? The possibility of fighting for the United States? Persuading Roland not to go professional? The final training, the final bout, his being beaten, Roland urging him on, victory and achievement?

6. Roland , the black boxer, not wanting to be called punk? Victories, defeats? Training, interest in Alec, on his side, the possibilities of professionalism? The hand slashed? His good spirit?

7. Elana, the story of the Russian refugees? The people in the boarding house and their friendship? The restaurant, the contrast with the poor in the Soviet Union making fortunes in America? Elana as a statistician? Attracted to Alec, resisting him, attracted when he changed?

8. The manager, interest in the boxers, supporting Alec, at the fight, victory?

9. The characters of Coney Island, the racial mix, the immigrants? The Russians and their becoming American, supporting the boxers at the party? The hustlers and the managers?

10. A glimpse of New York City, life in Brooklyn? With an optimistic touch?