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5.8/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Kid's Last Fight remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Look, if you are the type of person who finds 1930s child actors charming, you might get a kick out of The Kid's Last Fight. If you find the idea of toddlers in boxing gloves slightly unsettling or just plain weird, steer clear. This isn't a movie for everyone, and honestly, I'm not sure it was even meant for a general audience back then.
The premise is exactly what it sounds like. We have our hero, Diaper Dampsey, who is just trying to hold onto his title. Then, of course, the girlfriend gets kidnapped. It’s the oldest trick in the book, but delivered here with a bizarre, miniature energy.
There is this one moment where the camera lingers on a reaction shot from one of the kids—I think it was Sidney Kibrick—and it goes on for about ten seconds too long. You can literally see him trying to remember his next line. It’s oddly sweet, but also kind of distracting.
The whole thing has a bit of that The Skipper's Treasure Garden vibe, where everything feels like it’s happening on a stage rather than a real set. The lighting is harsh, and the shadows are deep. It makes the boxing ring look like it’s floating in a void.
I found myself wondering about the logistics of a "diaper-weight" championship. It’s a silly gimmick, but the movie leans into it with such weird confidence. It doesn't try to be The Congress Dances or anything remotely grand. It just wants to finish its rounds.
The pacing is a bit of a mess. Sometimes the scenes fly by like they’re running out of film stock. Other times, the dialogue just sits there, hanging in the air like smoke. It’s not a polished production, but it has a pulse.
Maybe it’s the era, but there is a strange lack of tension. You know exactly how it ends. You know the girlfriend will be found. You know the belt stays put. Yet, I couldn't stop watching. There is something hypnotic about seeing people who can barely walk trying to act out a sports drama.
If you're looking for deep character development, you’re in the wrong place. This is just pure, unfiltered nonsense from an age where they would film absolutely anything. It’s not great, but it’s definitely something you haven't seen before. 🥊
