Strength and Honor: Predictable Plot Doesn't Ruin this Film

"Strength and Honor" tells the story of Sean Kelleher (played by Michael Madson). Kelleher is a boxer who gives up fighting after accidentally killing his brother-in-law while sparring. A few years later, his wife succumbs to a rare disease and his young son is diagnosed with the same ailment. Kelleher loses his house to the exorbitant medical bills and is forced to move in with a band of traveling gypsies. It's during this he learns there is a cure for his son, but he'll need $250,000. Luckily, there is a bare-knuckle championship coming up and the prize is $250,000. Will Sean be able to win the fight and save his son's life?

Poor Sean Kelleher has all the misfortunes of the world piled upon his shoulders. He accidentally kills his brother-in-law during a friendly sparring match. A few years later, his dying wife makes him promise to never fight again. Shortly after she dies, his little boy is diagnosed with the same rare illness, and a cure will cost him $250,000. Mounting medical and funeral bills force Kelleher to sell his home and move in with a group of nomadic gypsies, called The Travelers. It's here that he discovers an upcoming bare-knuckle competition that pays a $250,000 purse to the winner. Knowing that this is his only chance to save his son, Sean must break his promise and fight again. He must face Smasher, the reining champion who has killed two men in the ring. With the help of his old trainer and new friends, Kelleher gets himself back into shape to take and hopefully win the money to save his son's life.

Misplaced sentiments, over-the-top acting and bad accents rule the day with this movie. The plot has been over-used for decades, making this film one of hundreds that will quickly find its way to the DVD bargain bin. The movie is full of bad Irish stereotypes and poorly choreographed fight scenes. This is really too bad because there are so many memorable characters and we all love to root for the underdog. It isn't all bad however. The training scenes are energetic and upbeat and the camera work is well done. I really wanted this to be a good movie, but there are just too many holes in the plot and too many faux pas in the script to save this film.

This is one of those films that we know how it will end long before it comes, yet we still watch it. Despite the obvious holes in the story, and the improbability of the hero many will still enjoy this movie for its Rocky-like feel. If you watch this movie with any pre-conceived notions of cinematic grandeur, you will walk away disappointed. On the other hand, if you just want to watch the underdog win, you might find some entertainment in "Strength and Honor".