Price of Glory (2000)

33% of critics liked it
(60 reviews)
74% of users liked it
(1,260 ratings)

Jimmy Smits returned to the big screen after a career-reviving stint on the TV series NYPD Blue with this emotional drama about the difficult relationship between a father and his sons. Smits plays Arturo Ortega, a man with lifelong dreams of being a contender in professional boxing. While Arturo… More Jimmy Smits returned to the big screen after a career-reviving stint on the TV series NYPD Blue with this emotional drama about the difficult relationship between a father and his sons. Smits plays Arturo Ortega, a man with lifelong dreams of being a contender in professional boxing. While Arturo had the knowledge, drive, and ambition to be a champ, his career proved short-lived, and, after a brief fling with success, he's a forgotten man. However, Arturo has instilled his passion for boxing in his three sons, who grow up learning the fine art of prizefighting. All three boys begin competing in the ring, with Arturo as their manager and coach, but Johnny (Jon Seda) quickly shows so much promise that other managers and promoters want to take over his contract and put him on the fast track to the championship. Arturo feels betrayed when Johnny wants to work with another manager, while his other two sons resent Johnny for turning his back on his father and wish Arturo had the same belief in their talents in the ring. The debut feature from director Carlos Avila and screenwriter Phil Berger, Price of Glory also features Maria Del Mar, Ron Perlman, Paul Rodriguez, and Clifton Collins Jr.. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 58 min.
Directed By: Carlos Ávila
Written By: Phil Berger
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Mar 31, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Nov 21, 2000
Studio: New Line Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy, Variety
Price of Glory is an earnest but flatfooted saga.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
What's peculiar is that the film doesn't build toward anything because even as the boxing careers flourish, the character of Arturo drags everything down.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
It's a film that avoids many of the genre cliches but, in so doing, loses the highs and lows that make us connect with these stories.
Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The movie clocks out with a cowardly sucker-punch.
Jay Carr, Boston Globe
Everything is spelled out with thudding obviousness until the film's one stab at originality - a Latino family at its center - is KO'd, too.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Dances a fine line between PG-13 and R.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
doesn't develop any of the characters
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
The road to glory is often paved with good intentions, but so is the path to mediocrity, which exactly where Carlos Avila's well-meaning drama heads in no time.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...generally entertaining, in a movie-of-the-week sort of way.
Jeremiah Kipp, Filmcritic.com
While the intentions are good, Price of Glory is never confident enough to push the boundaries of the sports drama mold.

Read all 10 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Leo L

Fantastic movie!! This is an absolute favorite of mine. After the pivotal peak and rise of HBO's original 'Resurrection Blvd," here is a film with similar interests and highlights of a family in boxing. The movie reflects around the Ortega family who lives near the… More
Fantastic movie!! This is an absolute favorite of mine. After the pivotal peak and rise of HBO's original 'Resurrection Blvd," here is a film with similar interests and highlights of a family in boxing. The movie reflects around the Ortega family who lives near the border of Arizona. Arturo was once a young boxer who dreamt of becoming world champion, but his dreams were crushed the day when he lost a bout in a money fight. Several years later, he teaches and trains his three young sons in hopes that boxing will help secure their future financially. As they get older, they soon realize their dreams are getting bigger as well as their interests. The family embarks upon several new stages in their lives, and Arturo realizes that choices and decisions are no longer his to make but that of his sons. Great cast- Jimmy Smits, Clifton Collins, Jon Seda, Maria Del Mar, Louis Mandylor, and Sal Lopez. Great music! Definitely worth seeing.

Cast

            Jimmy Smits as Arturo Ortega

            Jon Seda as Sonny Ortega

            Clifton Collins Jr. as Jimmy Ortega

            Maria Del Mar as Rita Ortega

            Sal Lopez as Hector Salmon

            Louis Mandylor as Davey Lane

            Danielle Camastra as Mariella Cruz

            Ernesto Hernandez as Johnny Ortega

            Paul Rodriguez as Pepe

            Ron Perlman as Nick Everson

            John Capodice as Priest

            Tony Genaro as Malave

            Zitto Kazann as Dr. Cardinal

            John La Fayette as Dr. Bill Ward

            Clayton Landey as Boxing Official

            Jeff Langton as Referee

            Jimmy Lennon Jr. as Ring Announcer

            William Marquez as Machado

            Patrick Outlaw as Dupree

            Carlos Palomino (II) as Oscar

            Jack Rader as Marata

            Bill M. Ryusaki as Silver Gloves Official

            John Verea as Azamar

            Matthew Kimbrough as TV Announcer

            Tom Simmons as Salesman

            Muni Zano as Chivo

            Katrina Gibson as Young Rita Ortega

            Jose Yenque as The Hood

            Noel Guglielmi as Angel

            Gilbert R. Leal as Young Johnny Ortega

            Ulysses Cuadra as Young Sonny Ortega

            Mario Esquivel as Young Jimmy Ortega

            Matt Cedeño as Young Arturo Ortega

            Irene de Bari as Mrs. Cruz

            Paco Farias as Luis Cruz

            Joshua Ponce De Leon as Little Oscar

            Harley Rodriguez as Young Hector Salmon

            Michelle Bonilla as Grace Chavez

            Craig Love as Rex Macon

            Leyna Nguyen as TV Newscaster

            Ernesto Macias as Saraceno

            Larry Strauss as Ringside Doctor
See full cast