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Cuba Gooding Jr. plays conflicted assassin in ‘Shadowboxer’

Reviewed by: Cheryl Smith
November 16, 2006

See Cuba Gooding Jr. like never before. In the suspense-filled thriller “Shadowboxer,” this Acad-emy Award winning actor plays a detached, methodical assassin.

Released on DVD earlier this month, “Shadowboxer” explores the lives of two assassins and how an unlikely pair form an alliance that many might find unrealistic and even disturbing—that is until that common denominator in their lives is revealed.

Mr. Gooding’s character, Mikey, is joined by Rose, played by Academy Award nominee Helen Mirren.

“Shadowboxer” has received rave reviews from several critics - probably because of the intriguing and varying twists as a cast of characters comes into the lives of the assassins.

While Mikey may seem callous and unfeeling, there’s also another side revealed as it becomes evident that he wants out. Life takes on a new meaning for the man who initially had no qualms about killing anyone, even a pregnant woman.

Mo’nique, who is best known for her role as Ms. Parker on the television show “The Parkers” or as the comedic host of “Showtime at the Apollo,” is featured in her first dramatic role, playing a drug-addicted girlfriend to the official doctor to the mob. Unlike most mobsters, however, this doctor lets his girl in on most of his business dealings - something he and others are sure to regret.

Because of his stellar performance in “Shadowboxer,” Mr. Gooding has been nominated for a Best Actor 2006 Black Movie Award as he shows love and murder have no boundaries, at least not at first.

Lee Daniels, producer of “Monsters Ball,” has his directorial debut with “Shadowboxer.”

“Shadowboxer” will also have you looking with compassion at how a person’s experiences as a child can have a devastating affect on their adulthood. The movie also looks at interracial relationships and breaks down age barriers.

“Shadowboxer” is just one of many DVDs distributed by Codeblack Entertainment.

If you have a book you would like reviewed, contact Cheryl at csmith@dallasweekly.com