Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- irreverent
- bruising
- witty
- sports movie night
- boxing double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as an overextended and unsuccessful boxing comedy-drama, with its reception reflected in low aggregate scores and a CinemaScore of D.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Cesar, Vince, and Grace drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas while the journey reveals their history and rivalry.
The two aging fighters remain close friends while agreeing to settle their professional and romantic competition in the ring.
The aging boxers accept a sudden bout in hopes of earning another shot at the middleweight title.
The climactic ten-round fight is described as a savage test of courage and endurance rather than a quick sports spectacle.
Films like Play It to the Bone, and why
Rocky
shared boxing-film setting, competitive friendship, and blend of athletic drama with comedy
The Fighter
shared sports drama, personal ambition, bruising competition, and underdog energy
Midnight Run
shared buddy dynamics, road-trip structure, comic friction, and male friendship under pressure
Cinderella Man
shared boxing spectacle, working-class aspiration, and emotionally charged rivalry
Movie Details
- Director
- Ron Shelton
- Release Date
- 1999-12-25
- Runtime
- 124 min
- Rating
- 5.5 / 10 (178)
Cast
- Antonio Banderas
- Woody Harrelson
- Lolita Davidovich
- Tom Sizemore
- Lucy Liu
- Robert Wagner
- Richard Masur
- Willie Garson
- Cylk Cozart
- Jack Carter
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Play It to the Bone about?
- Two aging Los Angeles boxers turn a last-minute Vegas bout into a bruising test of friendship, ambition, and romantic loyalty.
- What is Play It to the Bone like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Play It to the Bone as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Play It to the Bone violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Play It to the Bone as graphic.
- What did critics think of Play It to the Bone?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as an overextended and unsuccessful boxing comedy-drama, with its reception reflected in low aggregate scores and a CinemaScore of D.
- Which films are like Play It to the Bone?
- Films with a similar feel include Rocky, The Fighter, Midnight Run, and Cinderella Man.
- How long is Play It to the Bone?
- Play It to the Bone runs 124 minutes.
- Where can I watch Play It to the Bone?
- In United States, Play It to the Bone streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
