Toback never delves deeper into these issues, and the result may at times be frustrating to the viewer, but, as he once was in the ring, Tyson still knows how to captivate.
Tyson does contain one truly cathartic moment when it comes to the opposite sex. During a startling stream of consciousness, he proclaims his desire to both love and control women, to exploit his dominance, yet submit wholly to them. It is an unsettling moment of truth that could be more telling than any evidence submitted in his aforementioned rape trial.
But Tyson is equally as impressive in its star’s coverage of his meteoric rise. I still remember the stunning moment when nobody contender Buster Douglas withstood Tyson’s blows and lasted long enough to topple the champ in the ring. Even though I tend to typically root for the underdog, I felt disheartened as a teen by seeing this pillar of strength brought to his knees.
Tyson does not elicit any such sympathy, but rather allows us into his muddled mind during those exhausting rounds (as well the infamous Evander Holyfield ear chomp). It’s like a Tyson life highlight (and lowlight) reel, with the star’s audio commentary track turned on – it provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse, but does not elaborate too long before hopping to the next chapter.
We are invited closer into the ring than we’ve been before with Mike Tyson, but we are still kept at arm’s length, which, come to think of it, may be a safe distance to be.
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