Our latest film took a break from the gumshoe and/or heist scheme with The Set-up.

The movie focuses on a boxer past his prime named Stoker. While Stoker is struggling

to become a champ, his girlfriend Julie wants to settle down. Stoker’s focus is on the

match, and the money he can make from it. Unbeknownst to him, his manager has a

deal with a Big shot named Little Boy. Little Boy has big money riding on Stoker’s fight,

and has paid his manager off to make sure Stoker loses. As the movie unfolds, it seems

like no one is in Stoker’s corner. The characters all seem to have their own agendas.

Like in other films seen this semester, one of the best parts of the film is the setting. The

bright lights of paradise city and Hotel cozy contrast well with the dark alleyways and

locker rooms of the center. Stoker’s match takes center stage from the moment it starts.

The fight is long and realistic, grabbing the audience’s attention. And there’s plenty of

little extras thrown in to the moment. Several members of Stoker’s audience become

memorable, from the betting couple to the man that seems to be eating nonstop. Stoker

goes through a change after seeing that Julie has not come to the match. Her empty

seat remains visible through the fight. While Stoker is fighting in the ring Julie is fighting

with her feelings. She wanders the city observing passerby. After seeing a rock’em

sock’em boxing toy, her mind goes back to Stoker. There’s s magnificent shot of Julie at

a overpass, as she rips up her ticket to the unfolding boxing match. The film is different

from others presented this term, but its those differences that make it memorable.