The Violin and the Glove

Golden Boy is a film about a young man who is torn between two greatly contrasting worlds, one of music and the other, boxing. Though he has greatly talented and passionate for both disciplines, he must choose between them. The decision is made more difficult by the needs and persuasions of those around him. A multitude of factors pull him in different directions. On one hand, he cannot help but be controlled by the emotional strings that play a tug of war between the love of his family and the love of a woman. The other is an internal battle as he tries to understand where his own heart lies between his passion for music and tenacity and power in the ring. The concept of duality in the film and can also represent the social climate of the time.

The characters in his life are also constantly at odds. His father wants only for his son to master his musical talents and remain at home with the family, yet he also seems to be aware that his son needs to make his own decisions and find his way in the world. His pseudo brother in law is a charming but down and out cabbie who needs a new cab but seems to spend more time with a bottle that a fare. Joe’s love interest is a woman who is also unsure of her place in life. She is involved with his manager, Tom Moody, who persistently tells her that he will soon leave his wife, but there is always a complication. She is independent and sharp edged, almost as if she is merely toying with the men in her life but at the same time seems to be complacent with her situation with Tom and is willing to do his bidding.

The thread throughout the storyline is that of dichotomy. Joe battles two sides of everything in his life, his self-being, his want of money and his longing for love. As a musician and good son he would be rich with the support and love of his family and the pursuit of technical excellence with his violin, though he would never have wealth of money. In contrast, as a fighter, he would have money beyond his wildest dreams and yet would not have the consent of his dear father. He struggles with the love for a woman who jadedly belongs to another. Even when she does show him affection it is only to steer him for the interests of Tom Moody and not out of genuine interest.

There is even the sense that he is battling with himself over his own body. His hands can be used to create beautiful music or can be trained to generate devastating blows when formed in a fist. He cannot have both. If he boxes he looses the ability to nimbly manipulate the delicate violin. The only way for him to pursue his music is to give up fighting and all of the fame and money that it offers.

The sense of opposition and duality is reinforced in every aspect of this film, from the storyline and characters to the set design and even the lighting. Often lit with strong chiaroscuro placing Joe in the light and an oppositional character in the shadow, especially when he is confronted with a decisive moment. The sets are also in great contrast, representing the two conflicting worlds in which Joe resides. His home is quiet and cozy. Here his demeanor is calm and respectful. The boxing world is loud and smoky, disrespectful and hostile. His family experience reflects the music of his violin, warm and nurturing. When he practices his father drops everything to go and listen, always with understanding and encouragement. In the world of boxing he becomes hostile and quick tempered like he is in the ring. His managers are always criticizing his performance and constantly demanding more from him.

All of the people around Joe want a piece of something, whether it is love or money and Joe can’t seem to figure out how to satisfy all of their needs and also stay true to himself. Every time he makes one decision he is countered and redirected to another. At a pivotal moment he finds a valuable violin that his father planned to give him he makes up his mind to follow his dreams of becoming a concert violinist. When he begins to play he rediscovers his passion for the instrument and makes up his mind to continue with his practice and pursue his musical dreams. His manager discovers his new plans and convinces his girlfriend, with whom Joe is infatuated, to persuade him to continue boxing. After some quarrelsome capitulation he returns to the dark and smoky boxing world and continues with great success. As he works his way up the ranks he draws the attention of a gangster who wants to buy in to the Golden Boy and promises Joe top billing and a straight shot to beat the champ. Now Joe is hungry for the title and snatches the opportunity against the will of his manager and even the woman that he loves. In his final fight he lands a fatal blow to his opponent and vows never to fight again.

There are also more philosophical themes woven into this film. At he time of its release the world was entering a new and terrifying chapter in history and the sense of good versus evil and how major decisions would effect great numbers of people were certainly at issue. Only once in the film is the European unrest mentioned and it is a momentary reminder to the viewer in 1939 that even though they may have gone out only for mere entertainment that they still have to deal with the reality of the day. In Joe’s life he has to choose between music and boxing. That is also the choice between civility and war. The violin could be regarded as the most sophisticated of instruments, taking decades of practice and patience and care to master, not unlike peace and democracy. Boxing, in contrast, is force and brut, uncaring and uncompassionate like the war that was about to begin.

Several times throughout the film Joe has little outbursts at his father, his manager and his would be girlfriend. After each explosion of anger he always apologizes and asks for forgiveness. His anger and ensuing apology reinforce the contrasts that he struggles with. Ultimately, after killing his opponent in the ring at his final fight, his apologies can’t heal the wounds that he has created. He opts for peace, returning to his music and vowing never to fight again

Chris Johnson