The Kid

Jimmy albright is a young athlete with a passion for boxing. His mentor harry sloan an aging trainer and former boxer sees jimmys potential not only as a boxer but also as a young man. With harrys guidance jimmy trains and fights his way to the top of his division. Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 12/09/2003 Starring: Rod Steiger Run time: 90 minutes Rating: Pg
Jimmy has a calling to box and nothing can stop it, not even the veto of his parents. So he spars in secret, sneaking down to the local gym to meet with his mentor/trainer Harry. Still, he's haunted by guilt, manifested as the specter of his father, glowering at him in the ring. Complicating matters is the plight of his best friend, who hates boxing but is forced into the sport by his wealthy father. Rod Steiger (In the Heat of the Night) does the gruff, heart-of-gold duties as Harry. The relationship between the two is believable and touching but comes to an abrupt end when Harry succumbs to a heart attack just as a competitor rats out Jimmy to his parents. While the ending is predictably upbeat, there are dark moments along the way and some tough boxing scenes, making this most appropriate for ages 8 and up. --Kimberly Heinrichs