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First, the Recap:
Knocked down. Knocked out. Life can bring some unexpected blows to us, even when we think we’re ready to face anything that comes our way. For the formidable boxing champion Jimmy “The Bear” Forza (Dan Liebman), the story starts out exactly like this. Full of vigor and an attitude to accompany it, Forza is a force to be reckoned with. However, his training intensity and work ethic, despite the reputation and accolades it has brought him, begin to take a toll on the personal life he only seems somewhat invested in, mainly in the form of his wife, Amanda (Anna Rizzo). Progressing via flashback at first, a big fight is on the horizon, and Jimmy’s focus is solely on it.
Amanda, though, as Jimmy is getting ready to leave home for the arena, decides that there is no time like the present to advise him about the neglect she’s felt. Annoyed more than empathetic, Jimmy’s harsh attitude begins to shut down her arguments until she also deems it good timing to advise him about another major event coming in their future–a baby. Still undeterred and unenthused by this news, fast forward to post-fight and a crushing defeat at his opponent’s hands. Sequestered in the locker room and the subject of concerned conversation by his coach Mickey (John K. Fiore) and his ringside team, an unforeseen and surprising talk with the arena’s janitor (Bobby Kenney) causes Jimmy’s armor to come down and get a potent dose of reality that makes him realize what is truly important in life.
Next, my Mind:
Sometimes it amazes what circumstances need to occur to get our attention, make us realize the importance of certain things, and illuminate the over importance we’ve placed on other elements in life. These concepts are assuredly and convincingly explored, then powerfully addressed head-on, in director Paul Medico’s short film project, shining a necessary spotlight on lead character Jimmy Forza. His confident, yet over-confident, demeanor and dismissal of his wife and their upcoming child is abruptly placed in the forefront of his existence when wallowing in defeat, all thanks to a random stranger who becomes a fount of wisdom for Jimmy as he expounds on his unsolicited, but no less sobering tale of loss.
Liebman’s straight-forward intensity, both loud and subdued, as Jimmy very much balances out the quiet and humble presence of Kenney’s janitor, whose affable personality cracks the hardened outer shell Jimmy wears so that, even in the face of defeats in both the ring and at home, there’s a believable merging of their lives that truly impacts the heart. Solid supporting turns by John K. Fiore as Jimmy’s longsuffering coach and Rizzo’s equally longsuffering wife, puts an even greater sense of the state of life Jimmy’s actions have initially caused, yet it therefore makes his personal revelation of who he truly NEEDS to be that much more engaging when it happens. In total, “Crossing Paths” is another example of what indie film does so well–it doesn’t just entertain, but rather authentically shines the spotlight on the journey that is being human.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
