Homeboy (film)

Homeboy
Movie poster of Homeboy
Directed by	Michael Seresin
Produced by	Elliott Kastner
Written by	Mickey Rourke
Starring	Mickey Rourke Christopher Walken Debra Feuer
Music by	Eric Clapton Michael Kamen
Cinematography	Gale Tattersall
Editing by	Ray Lovejoy
Distributed by	Lionsgate Entertainment
Release date(s)	1988
Running time	115 min.
Country	USA
Language	English

Homeboy is a 1988 drama film, directed by Michael Seresin. It was written by and stars Mickey Rourke in the role of self-destructive cowboy/boxer Johnny Walker. Christopher Walken also stars as Walker's slightly corrupt promoter, who encourages him to fight whilst hiding from him the fact that one more punch in the wrong place would kill him.

The film was released on DVD on September 1, 2009.

Plot

Johnny Walker is a down-and-out boxer, with brain damage who has just recently moved into a sea-side resort. Upon arriving, he falls in love with Ruby, a carnival owner who has a lot in common with Johnny,.

Johnny, who is played by Mickey Rourke, also befriends Wesley Pendergrass (Christopher Walken). Wesley and Johnny form a strong friendship, and it's clear that Johnny idolises Wesley.

Later on in the film, Wesley wants to use Johnny as muscle in a robbery and he asks Johnny to help him. Johnny has to choose between the love of Ruby (Debra Feuer) or the friendship of Wesley.

Production

Exterior shots in Asbury Park include the boardwalk, the beach, Paramount Theatre, Cookman Avenue. Shots in Belmar include Alfred's Ice Cream Cafe and Pied Piper Ice Cream. Interior shots in Asbury Park include the Convention Hall and Belmar Barber Shop in Belmar.

Tillie and the Palace Amusements building can be seen in the background, a staple of Asbury Park and its culture. During the boxing scenes, the Convention Hall is used as the venue. This is the first of two times Rourke used the famed venue in films. The second time it was used was for 2008's The Wrestler.

Cast

• Mickey Rourke as Johnny Walker
• Christopher Walken as Wesley Pendergass
• Debra Feuer as Ruby
• Thomas Quinn as Lou
• Kevin Conway as Grazziano
• Antony Alda as Ray
• Jon Polito as Moe Fingers
• Bill Slayton as Bill
• David Albert Taylor as Cannonball
• Joseph Ragno as Cotten's Trainer
• Matthew Lewis as Cotten
• Willy DeVille as Moe's Bodyguard
• Rubén Blades as Doctor
• Sam Gray as Barber
• Dondre Whitfield as Billy Harrison

Also, a young Stephen Baldwin appears in a brief scene.

In popular culture

In Bob Dylan's first memoir, Chronicles Volume One, he writes of a trip to the movies during the recording of the album Oh Mercy. He writes of Mickey Rourke:

He could break your heart with a look. The movie traveled to the moon every time he came onto the screen. Nobody could hold a candle to him. He was just there, didn't have to say hello or goodbye.

Dylan would later work with Rourke on his film Masked and Anonymous in 2001.

External links

• Homeboy at the Internet Movie Database
• Homeboy at AllRovi
• Who Needs an Oscar Anyway? Mickey Rourke's 'Homeboy' at PopMatters.