Mike Story:-
Mike Tyson is a magnetic figure, a celebrity who has earned his place in the spotlight with a compelling mix of charm and intensity. As a champion boxer, his relentless drive sets him apart even in the world of sports. However, his career is also marked by controversial incidents, notably the infamous ear-biting episode involving Evander Holyfield, which has cast a shadow over his achievements. Beyond the ring, Tyson is known for his surprising moments of vulnerability, as well as his troubling history of violence, including a conviction for rape in 1992.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 26 August 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Biography, Drama, Sport |
| Episodes | 9 |
| Creator | Steven Rogers |
| Cast | Kerry Sims, Scott MacDonald, Trevante Rhodes, Harvey Keitel, Suzette Lange, Nathalie J. Alarcon, Kale Browne, Erica Rowell Green, B.J. Minor, Ethan Dubin, Adams Bellouis, Li Eubanks, Kenneth Trujillo, Lawrence J. Hughes, Jackie Sanders, Ashlei Lewis, Greg Kaston |
| Director | Craig Gillespie, Director X. |
| Writer | Darnell Brown, Steven Rogers |
| Cinematography | Isiah Donté Lee, Jalaludin Trautmann, Brendan Uegama |
| Music | Peter Nashel |
| Producer | Steven Rogers, Anthony Sparks, Karin Gist, Darin Friedman, Tom Ackerley, Claire Brown, Craig Gillespie, Brett Hedblom, Scott Morgan, Margot Robbie, Bryan Unkeless |
| Production | 20th Television, Clubhouse Pictures, Entertainment 360 |
| Certificate | 18+ |
A thoughtful exploration of Tyson’s complex persona, within the popular format of a dramatized limited series, would delve into both facets of his character and their intricate interplay. Tyson’s allure is undeniably heightened by his aura of danger, yet “Mike,” the new series from Hulu, takes a different approach. Starring Trevante Rhodes as the fighter, the series portrays Tyson as a multifaceted individual but fails to fully integrate the contradictory aspects of his identity.
The narrative framework of “Mike” revolves around a live stage show, reminiscent of Tyson’s real-life performances in the early 2010s. Rhodes delivers a compelling performance, capturing Tyson’s distinctive voice and underlying sense of self-importance. However, the series lacks depth in exploring how certain events translate to the screen. It glosses over significant moments, such as Tyson’s ex-wife Robin Givens’ claims of suffering a miscarriage, and downplays others, like the portrayal of Tyson’s violent outburst towards Givens, set to the song “Lovely Day.”
In many ways, “Mike” shares similarities with the 2017 film “I, Tonya,” written by Steven Rogers, who also created the series. Both productions employ juxtapositions of dialogue and imagery to underscore the unreliability of the narrator. However, this approach can come across as heavy-handed, detracting from the narrative’s authenticity.
While the film “I, Tonya” overtly criticizes its subject, the figure skater Tonya Harding, there’s a noticeable difference in the treatment of Mike Tyson in “Mike.” Rather than holding Tyson in contempt, there’s a level of respect evident here. Part of it stems from the ample screen time Tyson is afforded to present his side of the story. We witness how his challenging upbringing instilled in him a strong sense of self-protection, and how his mentor, trainer Cus D’Amato (portrayed by Harvey Keitel), encouraged him to not only win fights but to do so in a captivating manner. Tyson’s charisma and flair, honed by D’Amato and boxing promoter Don King (played by Russell Hornsby), further contribute to the audience’s appreciation of him.
Unlike Harding, who often struggles to articulate herself, Tyson is portrayed as articulate and confident, commanding the audience’s attention with his self-assurance. Despite the underlying anger that occasionally seeps through his words, Tyson’s direct engagement with the audience carries weight, inviting a sympathetic reception, if not complete belief in his narrative.
However, “Mike” falls short in delving deeply into this intriguing contradiction within Tyson’s character. Instead of exploring this complexity in a compelling manner, the series tends to settle for merely acknowledging Tyson’s contradictory nature without fully interrogating it. Furthermore, the narrative’s tendency to defer to Tyson’s perspective leaves Desiree Washington’s role in the story somewhat uncertain.
Li Eubanks delivers a powerful performance as Desiree Washington, capturing both her strength and the profound impact of the trauma she endured. Her character’s resilience and self-assurance are highlighted in a poignant moment where she addresses the audience directly, underscoring her survival against all odds. This episode stands out as a sensitive portrayal of a survivor’s experience, a surprising departure from the series’ earlier treatment of high-profile cases like that of Robin Givens, where allegations of abuse by Tyson were not given the same level of consideration.
As “Desiree,” the final episode available to critics, demonstrates a newfound sensitivity to survivor narratives, it remains to be seen whether this marks a turning point for the series or merely an isolated incident. It is my hope that “Mike” will continue to explore these themes with the depth and nuance they deserve, rather than simply handing Tyson the microphone without further examination.
“Mike” will premiere on Thursday, August 25 on Hulu, with two new episodes per week following weekly.
