Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Body and Soul Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 7, 2020

Receiving a career boost with his work on 1979’s “Penitentiary,” Leon Isaac Kennedy keeps the boxing gloves on for 1981’s “Body and Soul,” which returns the actor to the ring to portray another underdog battling his own demons. However, instead of toplining a scrappy B-movie, Kennedy tries to bend this production into something with more mainstream appeal, also scripting this loose remake of a 1947 Robert Rossen picture. With a blazing, triumphant score and story that concerns the efforts of a man to better himself and his life, it’s clear Kennedy was hunting for another “Rocky”-style success. “Body and Soul” isn’t as friendly as the Sylvester Stallone smash, offering harder behavioral edges and a strange sense of honor. The boxing is there, complete with a supporting turn from Muhammed Ali, but Kennedy doesn’t crack the challenge of likability, giving his feature a distractingly weird assessment of nobility.

Leon (Leon Isaac Kennedy) is a medical student and amateur boxer who’s floored by the news of his younger sister’s illness. Looking for a way to pay her medical bills, Leon becomes a professional boxer, joined by pal Charles (Perry Lang), with the pair aiming to becoming the biggest thing in the sport. Rechristened “Leon the Lover,” the fighter aims to take down the best of the best, running into problems with Big Man (Peter Lawford), a crooked promoter who controls the national boxing scene. Willing to sell himself to Big Man for a chance at a fortune, Leon is led into temptation, risking his health and heart, including his relationship with reporter Julie (Jayne Kennedy).

Leon is meant to be a smart, secure young man, dealing with the demands of college while handling womanizing duties, including an early tryst with a random woman in a men’s room. The amateur fighter is sobered up by his sister’s Sickle cell anemia diagnosis, vowing to pay for top care in a troubling medical system. It’s an act of love and support that’s meant to launch the character as a man of action and respect, getting into the fight game to make a heap of money, helping his sibling make it through a life-threatening disease. If “Body and Soul” stopped there, it would certainly make it easier for the audience to remain by Leon’s side as he enters the industry, which requires a gimmick to be seen. “Leon the Lover” soon sets out to be the greatest, even paying a visit to The Greatest, with Muhammad Ali doing the production a favor by appearing as himself, soon won over by Leon’s bravado and willingness to put in the work to make it to a championship fight. Even with just a few scenes to show his stuff, Ali is amusing, with Kennedy making sure all levels of respect are paid to the iconic boxer.

The fight adventure for Leon is formulaic but compelling, with Isaac giving his all to the boxing scenes, while Lawford provides a pleasing boost of villainy as a dastardly promoter who doesn’t make it easy for the new kid to make his mark. “Body and Soul” has more problems with Julie, as the screenplay sets up a romance for the pair, keeping Leon in pursuit mode to charm a media personality who isn’t so sure about his behavior. Turns out, she’s right, with Leon pledging his love for Julie but sampling all sorts of prostitutes along the way, powerless to women with names like “Pussy Willow.” What’s shocking about the writing is how it doesn’t condemn Leon for his actions, still making a play for warmth between the opposites. Kennedy isn’t aware of the need to soften Leon, to break him down to help build him back up again. Instead, he keeps the character a hero, despite his propensity for cruelty towards loved ones. Also ridiculous are other sources of distraction, following Charles’s adventure into freebasing cocaine, which leads to a scene where the manager/friend loses his mind during a suicide attempt, only to return a short time later as though nothing ever happened. The feature is filled with abrupt turns like this.

Body and Soul Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Body and Soul" appears to be an older scan from the MGM vault, delivering a slightly softer viewing experience that remains satisfactory when it comes to detail. Boxing arena and gym dimension remains appreciable, along with skin particulars and makeup work on bruised and battered bodies. Costuming has fibrous qualities, specially when dealing with period clubwear. Colors are aged but adequate, showing a little inconsistency with reds at times. Primaries are acceptable, and boxing world lighting brings out brightness. Skintones are natural. Delineation is acceptable. Source is in decent condition, with some speckling detected. Grain is slightly blockier.

Body and Soul Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix showcases limitations throughout the listening event, finding highs fuzzy, especially when overwhelmed by argumentative behavior and the bustle of boxing crowds, which hits a few uncomfortable levels as excitement surges. Basic dialogue exchanges are intelligible, securing emotionality. Scoring cues are big but acceptable, with sharper, brassy instrumentation. Soundtrack selections set a mellower mood. Sound effects aren't precise, highlighting the film's low-budget scrappiness at times. Hiss is found throughout.

Body and Soul Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (12:50, HD) with Leon Isaac Kennedy doesn't cover the entire "Body and Soul" production experience, mostly focusing on casting achievements, including the actor's ability to talk pal Muhammad Ali into making a cameo appearance, giving him a filmed record of time spent sparring with the boxing superstar. Kennedy also explores the hiring of Peter Lawford and time spend working with his wife, Jayne Kennedy, labeling the couple as an ideal team during this time period. Identifying himself as a "Hollywood Historian," Kennedy details his efforts to include lines from the original 1947 film, trying to pay homage without fully giving into the remake process. Music choices are highlighted, audience reaction is recalled, and validation from producer Menahem Golan is also shared.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:58, SD) is included.

Body and Soul Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Powered by a heroic score from Webster Lewis, "Body and Soul" endeavors to falls into the "Rocky" slipstream, giving Leon a reason bigger than himself to fight, and he's even offered a Mickey-like trainer to help whip himself into shape. It's all very derivative, but there's Kennedy to hold some of it together, delivering a committed performance that tries to get by on emotional emphasis and the actor's established screen charms. He works well with Jayne Kennedy (the two were married at the time), and the fight scenes carry some energy due to his physicality. It's a shame there isn't enough focus on the essential dramatic elements of "Body and Soul," which could do fine as an underdog story spotlighting one man's climb to save his sister. Kennedy tries to do too much with little inspiration, and the film's experiences with sleaziness don't mesh well with its attempt at depicting personal integrity. It's not entirely confused, but the waywardness of the screenwriting is often too dizzying for comfort.