Don King: Only in America (1997 TV Movie) User Reviews

PRESENTS AN EXTREMELY UNFLATTERING PORTRAIT OF Mr. KING!

[Tony-Kiss-Castillo · 6/10 · 27 December 2023]

BEFORE DIVING INTO THIS BIOPIC...... ..... FIRST...Let us FOCUS on the Title's Content and Context:

"Now if you all didn't have Don King...You'd have to invent him!", proclaims a larger-than-life Don King at the end of this Biopic. Moments later we see the standard, "Some scenes or events have been changed or altered for dramatic effect" biopic disclaimer clause. Makes you wonder just how much is really 'TRUE' and how much is Production invention! (Possible HBO payback for Pay-per-View deals that haven't gone so well?) Do the words "Conflict of Interest" mean anything to anybody?

HBO movies are invariably a 7* to 10* experience for me...Especially biotics.(OOPS! Decided to let this typo stand...Has a rather ironic/sardonic ring to it, wouldn't you say?) ONLY IN AMERICA was not up to HBO's usual standard of excellence. Since 5.5* is not an option, 6* is what you see above. What kept America somewhere in the barely OK zone, as opposed to not at all, were the numerable pop-cultural nostalgic moments, events and personalities, in addition to the behind-the-scenes story itself.

For AMERICA to have really soared, it required a top-notch performance from Ving Rhames. Although there were some scenes where he does really shine, unfortunately, a lot of his acting seems more like something of a caricature, a crude parody of the real thing! That Rhames won a Golden-Globe for his portrayal of King simply baffles me! Sorry, his performance just doesn't seem that great to me! Putting it mildly, HBO presents an extremely unflattering portrait of Mr. King: A back-stabbing, foul-mouthed, self-aggrandizing, utterly ruthless, oft-times buffoonish and chronically malapropistic speaker. (Although he did show improvement on this score as the years passed) But, pop-culturally speaking, you can't deny there's a lot going on in America! Apparently, most people seem to like this film a lot more than I did...So, try it if you will!

....ENJOY / DISFRUTELA!

Any comments, questions or observations, in ENGLISH... o en ESPAÑOL, are most welcome!

Boxing bio-pic that punches above its weight

[Pedro_H · 8/10 · 19 April 2003]

The life of boxing promoter Don King was/is so varied and complicated that I would have thought that a low budget TV movie would struggle with it. But hats off to the producers and HBO, while not having fortunes to spend they have covered most of it competently and in Ving Rhames they have a fantastic star performance. In fact it is hard to tell him from the real thing!

As we know, boxing has a seamy side, but King seems to the kind of person that pushes the boundaries of even this biz. His silver tongue (he did a lot of reading in prison) tricks many a young boxer in to signing or doing what he wants.

From jailhouse to courthouse to penthouse Don has a quality that many an eel would admire. Somehow he always comes back from any setback and seems to be able to actually to turn anything to his own advantage. If you didn't know a lot of this was true you would call it over-the-top!

His early life as a numbers runner is not glossed over, although he portrays himself as being in the "hope business" and doing people a big favour. Even in charity he thinks of only one thing - himself.

This is great black (in more senses than one) comedy and provides many belly laughs - his treatment of Larry Holmes is a gem, even turning up with a contract on this honeymoon!

You don't have to be a boxing fan to enjoy this movie, but it helps. Boxing scenes are well recreated and the star performance by Rhames (who usually plays straight-ahead bad guy roles) is worth tuning in for all by itself. Very enjoyable and far more entertaining than many boxing films with several times the budget.

Don King is a monster

[dtucker86 · 5 October 2003]

Ving Rhames is a truly amazing actor and always gives a wonderful performance. I always think of him as electronic expert Luther Stickell in the Mission Impossible movie series with Tom Cruise. In this film, he tackles a very challenging role and pulls it off magnificently! He should have gotten an Emmy for his outstanding work as a true American monster Don King. Don King was inducted into the boxing hall of fame recently, can you believe that? Someone said that is like burying Benedict Arnold in Arlington Cemetary. Don King did not hold anything remotely resembling an honest job until he was 40 years old and went into boxing promoting. He was nothing but a common criminal. He was a numbers runner for the Clevland syndicate and killed two men. In the first case, it was ruled justifiable homicide, in the second case it was more despicable. This man beat another man to death on a public street in front of many eyewitnesses. He literally kicked him to death until his brain ruptured. For this crime he only served a few years in prison. Rhames made me laugh in this film with his amusing portrayal of King's flamboyance and colorful use of words, but there is nothing funny about this man and the damage that he did to boxing. The most horrible thing that he did, and I WANT EVERYONE READING THIS ON IMDB TO HEAR THIS!!!LISTEN TO WHAT I AM SAYING. In 1980, Muhammad Ali came out of retirement to fight Larry Holmes in an effort to become the only man to ever regain the title three times. Before this fight, Ali had to have a physical at the Mayo clinic which is one of the finest clinics in the US. They sent a report of their findings to Don King and he supressed this report and let the fight go on. They found out that Ali literally had a hole in the membranes surrounding his brain. He admitted that he had tingling in his hands and slurring of his speech. All they would have to do is listen to tapes of him from ten years before to hear how his voice had changed. He couldn't do simple things like hopping or touching his nose with his finger (the things police have people do to take a DUI test). Don King talked of how much he "loved" Ali. IF HE LOVED HIM SO DAMN MUCH WHY OH WHY DIDN"T HE CANCEL THE FIGHT. King was so powerful do you think that he couldn't have done it. Eddie Futch was one of the legendary trainers in boxing. He trained Joe Frazier and said he loved him like a son. In the third fight he had with Ali in Manilla, Eddie stopped the fight because he knew Frazier was blind and couldn't defend himself. Keep in mind, he thought Frazier was ahead on points and it was the last round. That is a true gentleman and that is what Don King should have done with the Ali Holmes fight. Ali suffered a horrible beating that was unbearable to watch. Sylvester Stallone said it was like watching an autopsy on a living person. Ali was damaged even more by this fight and it was all because of a scumbag named Don King. Don King is a monster and he is like a Frankenstein monster because we made him and we let him get away with it. Joe Louis must be turning in his grave!!!!!

Compelling Performance by Ving Rhames

[Caroseli · 7/10 · 3 November 1998]

While there are a number of good points about the film "Don King: Only in America"--the script, the direction, the supporting cast--by far the best reason to watch it is Ving Rhames' stunning performance as Don King. Ironically, although King is an extremely gregarious personality, Rhames' performance wins through its subtlety. Through the slightest gestures and facial expressions, Rhames paints a portrait of a man who is both repellent and compelling. The best touch of genius in the script comes in the scenes when Rhames as King comments upon the actions and events depicted in the regular film, actually "talking back" to the camera, filmmakers and audience. (At one point, he even calls HBO hypocrites.) I have never cared much for boxing, but there is no denying Don King is one of the most influential and colorful personalities of our century, and this film gives us an insight into his life we would did not have previously.

One of the best TV movies ever made!

[dvanhouwelingen · 10/10 · 4 October 2000]

"Don King: Only in America" is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. If it wasn't a TV movie, Ving Rhames should have won an Oscar for his brilliant portrayal of this complicated man. The film is riveting from start to finish as we see King at his beginnings as a small time crook, until what he ended up- a big time crook. The film is a masterpiece- every scene works perfectly. Perhaps the best scenes in the movie are the ones with King alone in a boxing ring talking directly to the camera. Absolutely brilliant!

VING RHAMES SHOULD HAVE WON AN OSCAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mtediting · 10/10 · 18 March 2004]

I gave this movie 10 stars (I wish I could have given it more). I have NEVER EVER EVER in my life seen an actor portray a character more accurately and precisely than Ving Rhames portrays Don King. In fact, the first few times that I watched the movie, I thought he actually WAS Don King. I only wish this movie had been released in theaters; I guarantee you, Ving Rhames would have won an Oscar as Best Actor. He has Don King's mannerisms, voice inflection, quirks and idiosyncrasies down to a T (and I mean a CAPITAL T). Believe me when I tell you that Ving Rhames lives, breathes, and eats the essence of Don King. I have never EVER EVER seen an actor portray a character so effectively. Again, I gave it 10 stars, but wish I could have given it 25 stars for Ving Rhames performance.

Very very good

[ewa-12 · 10/10 · 1 May 2004]

Made for telly but extremely watchable. Ving Rhames shines. His performance is fantastic, he even looks like real Don King. He makes the character utterly compelling even though you know he is a crook and cheat. All his initial deals were held on literally a piece of string and yet he pulled them all off. Nice pace, good script, well produced. Watch out for he boxing ring scenes when Don talks to the camera. Great! 10/10

Not A Pretty Picture Of A Flamboyant Man

[ccthemovieman-1 · 3/10 · 11 August 2007]

Kudos to Ving Rhames for a job well done as the flamboyant boxing promoter Don King, who is still with us in the boxing game, although he's toned down quite a bit. I'll bet Rhames had a lot of fun playing this role. King, meanwhile, will always be King, and you ring fans know what I mean by that. Still, I wonder if he doesn't cringe watching this biography of him.

As interesting a career as Mr. King has, that doesn't mean I enjoyed watching this movie. It's extremely racist, at least in the first half which turned me off so much I don't recall if even finished the film. All white people were portrayed as bad people. How is that permitted, when the opposite is not. Just the typical double standard employed by most filmmakers.

However, to be fair, King was a bad, bad dude in his early days and the film is portraying that. He's a much different person today. It's just that it's not fun to watch, nor is the profanity in here fun to hear. I don't mind "language" since I'm no choir boy, but this is ridiculous in here. Don't let the "made-for-TV" label fool you. It was made for HBO, and anything goes on that network.

Rhames's brilliance vs. film's blandness

[lukas-5 · 15 March 1999]

The best thing to be said for this film is that Ving Rhames, usually a supporting player, gets a role he can really sink his teeth into. He alone tries to carry the film with his charismatic, vivid performance. The film itself is typical made for tv fare-conventional, fairly unimaginative cinematically, competent enough to be semi-entertaining.

Money! Money! Money! Only In America Baby! Oh How True.

[Brian-272 · 8/10 · 16 September 2000]

Call him flamboyant, egotistical, arrogant, a manipulator, self-centered, controversial love him or hate him Don King is without a doubt boxing greatest promoter in the history of boxing. Now after many viewings of Don King: Only In America I have come to realize and respect not only the accomplishments of Don King, but also his life in general. The 1997 HBO Original Movie portrayed in biography style as told through mostly the viewpoints of Don King himself, and by the way I must just mention Ving Rhames was great in his portrayal of King Ving's looks and voice fit that of the real Don King perfect it's like they are actual twins. The film begins in 1950's in Cleveland, Ohio when King was a street ghetto organized crime member who at the time was way down the food chain and generally got the short end of the deal in many ways. King was then incarcerated for four years for manslaughter when he brutally beat to death a man who owed him a debt. It was while in prison King got the idea of being a boxing promoter when he heard the radio broadcast of Ali-Frazier in March of 1971. Upon his release from prison and with help of good friend and club singer Mr.Price and his stepson Carl a benefit was organized when Muhammad Ali was invited to a children's hospital in Cleveland therefore money was raised to help start King's career as serious boxing promoter. Perhaps in boxing's most historical fight Ali vs. Foreman "The Rumble In Jungle" Don King showed his brilliance and smarts by having both Ali and Foreman to both sign for the same amount of money in the meantime neither would get the promised amount of money they were told. That fight turned out to be one of boxing's most successful thank god for Don King. King later parted ways with Foreman then later Ali. As King made Ali pay for his greediness King said it best there's more to life than Allah. King later promoted perhaps the best and most marketable fighter of our time the terrorizing Mike Tyson, now you talk about a good money investment. Don King is the most intelligent individual of our time you name it he can outsmart the FBI, IRS, state athletic commissions hey and I'm proud because we know how corrupt those authority agencies have come thank god for Don King! I'm proud to say Don King is a hero of mine because he fought for what he believed in. Be thankful folks for what he has done for the sport of boxing with his crusading for the sport. This movie is a must see for any boxing fan, I have it recorded and view it often. Finally Don King said it best it's all about entertainment heroes and villain I agree. Who can blame Don for his love of money. Like a respected friend told me money is what the world has come to sadly but surely. So admire Don King. Remember Money! Money! Money!

Rate The Movie, Not The Man

[gurochuck · 10/10 · 18 April 2006]

I'm not a big fan of ol' Don King although I have no problem saying that I do admire his accomplishments. Let's face it, people. The man hasn't done nothing to boxing that any other boxing promoter hasn't done (or aspires to do for that matter). He's just the best at it. And if history has proved anything, it's that when you're at the top of the mountain, people look to knock you down. There's nothing etched in stone that says that in order to be a good fight promoter, you've got to love your fighter(s). As a matter of fact, you don't even have to LIKE them!! Truth is all of his fighters (most of all, Tyson) knew the risks when they signed with King and a gun wasn't put to any of their heads. I think this movie may rub a few people the wrong way simply because Ving Rhames gave the performance of his life portraying a figure of great controversy from that person's perspective (i.e. King narrates the story by occasionally talking to the camera). King even bashes HBO in the movie and they're the ones who made it (which I thought was quite sporting of them)!! Bottom line, this movie was excellent and should've went to the theaters in my opinion. It would've given more people a more dimensional perspective of the man and the business of the sport. Remember, everyone has some dirt on them (some quite more than others) and perfection should not be expected of another if it cannot be achieved by one's own self.

Don King is my proverbial idol

[chelereap · 10/10 · 27 May 2006]

I am an accountant and very versed in big business throughout history. When I saw the movie I was impressed with the mannerism of Don King during the early years and how he managed to overcome the American societal culture of the time. Of course the opinions of today are negative because we do not live in that time and more than likely have not done very much research into what life was like for the average person and definitely zero research for the unpopular black American. I for one am not for or against the mafia way of life or dishonesty, but you have to know something about ALL American history to attempt to understand why things happened the way they did and how the people of the time made a success of themselves. Don King has sustained in the same industries for decades against all odds, which included deep underground crime hurdles. I give credit where credit is due and if you are honest and not jealous, you would have to as well. The movie makers did a great job on the movie and I give them credit as well. Great movie. Thank you.

Not so good.Far too long but great acting by Ving Rhames as Don King.

[anton-6 · 5/10 · 22 December 2001]

This film is almost two hours and is TOO LONG.I liked the acting by Ving Rhames as Don King but the rest of the cast does not act so great at all.For example the guy who plays Muhammad Ali is bad.Interesting in the start but too long.2/5

BETTER THAN THE REAL THING

[Lizzy-28 · 21 March 2000]

Even if you don't like Don King, you gotta give it up for Ving Rhames in this movie. He is an able portrayer of Don King, from looks to personality (heck, he made Don King a little likable!) The movie gave insight into a sport that you either love or hate - boxing, as well as a look into Don King's history. It made for good viewing and I found myself howling at certain points. A bonus for me happened at the end, during a three second stretch in which my boyfriend's head passed as he walked behind Ving Rhames and Vondie Curtis-Hall at LAX!

I would definitely give this movie a 10!

One of the best mad for tv movies ever! Why isn't it on HBO anymore?

[mduvee · 10/10 · 4 November 2022]

Haven't seen this movie in over a decade and absolutely surprised it's not on HBOMAX now!? I had looked for it in the past on HBO and it seems to have been pulled from its library a looong time ago! Anyone know the reason for this? I assume it has to be over some kind of legal ownership issue or something.... It's too good and won too many awards to not retain as one of its original productions!? Between the acting, writing and wonderful direction, it's heads and tails over the HBO Tyson movie and don't get me started on the Tyson Hulu series. Garbage. Anyways - would love to see a restored version of this available to stream or even to purchase. Only available on 480i dvd currently.

Worth Repeated Viewings

[the_mad_mckenna · 10/10 · 18 August 2002]

From a breezy and humorous screenplay to giving us an insight of how the boxing business works, this movie is the champ. Notable also is how the film treats Ali - not as the godlike figure we've come to know,but as another boxer looking to get his. Ving is just ENVELOPED in this role; often with film biogs, we are put off by the lack of resemblance to the real thing (see the horrid "season on the brink" TV movie about Bobby Knight) both physically and in mannerisms - not here.

Don King is a Character

[view_and_review · 9/10 · 2 November 2020]

I don't necessarily like Don King as a result of watching this movie, but "Don King: Only in America" did make him more human to me.

In my lifetime Don King has always been a joke--a bad hairdo having, word mispronouncing, money stealing joke. But, unlike Ving Rhames's depiction, he wasn't' funny. This was the most dynamic character I'd ever seen Rhames play and he was excellent. He made Don King's character jump off the screen he did it so well.

DKOIA starts in the mid-60s with Don King hustling on the streets of Cleveland. He was arrested for beating a man to death and served five years for the crime. He emerged from prison with a renewed focus and a renewed vocabulary. Once he was able to win over Ali and Foreman to make the "Rumble in the Jungle" happen, he became a real player in professional boxing.

Don King's story is interesting and entertaining. We got to see some of the people in his inner circle who helped him become who he became--those he relied upon and those he used. The movie was excellent even if you hate Don King.

Ving Rhames is the champ, Don King nothing but chump.

[Doctor_Bombay · 30 April 1999]

Don King is a self-promoter the likes that few have seen in our lifetime. This film takes a novel approach to telling the King story, blowing KING up into as big a buffoon as possible, and using King himself (actor Ving Rhames) in telling the tale. I give director John Herzfeld credit-it's a novel and appropriate approach to the biography of a man who truly is more caricature than real.

Rhames gives an inspired and convincing performance as King, breathing much life into a film from a book that was for all practical purposes stillborn.

Enjoy the movie for Rhames and pay little attention to the details.

Money is the root of all evil?

[CharltonBoy · 8/10 · 23 June 1999]

This film turned out much , much better than i was expecting. A superb leading role by Ving Rhames as the Money Grabbing Don King . Also watch out for Darius Mccrary as Mohammed Ali. This film does not make Don king out to be a great man as i thought it was going to before i watched it. It depicts him as a Money lead Cheat and also a Racist who has no thought for anybody he worked with. Very watchable and compelling.

Don King: Showboating to the Top

[MySportsComplex · 9/10 · 4 March 2011]

The great Ving Rhames plays a local Cleveland bookie and some time ex-con maneuvering his way to the top of the nascent and dynamic world of pro boxing.

Rhames, best known for his role as Pulp Fiction's gang thug Marcellus Wallace, plays a different type of tough guy and hustler in the form of an animated and verbally combative Don King; a persona he nails. Only in America also cameos Bernie Mac, Jeremy Piven and the late soul singer Lou Rawls.

For as much as other films like Any Given Sunday and Jerry Maguire have endeavored to depict the perceived evil, cutthroat and slimy nature of sports promoters, Only in America does so not by belaboring its players as bad people. Rather Don King's character is flamboyant, very human, and so exciting that, as he puts it "If you didn't have Don King, you'd have to invent him." written by Andy Frye, MySportsComplex.blogspot.com

great screenplay, dialogues

[camel-9 · 2 August 1999]

the quality of this movie surprised me. The editing, dialogues, and screenplay flow is superb. Tough for an actor to act to be Don King, an actor himself. Learned new english words too: "tried to DISMERCIFY me". I would reccomend that the viewer see first "When We Where Kings", the documentary of the Ali-Foreman fight in Zaire, because a good 20 minutes of this movie re-enacts many scenes straight from the documentary. There are imaginative scenes and dialogues: how the character impersonating Don King talks to the camera [audience] saying how HBO is making a movie on him; stunning beginning in which a scene from the past is bridged to the present zooming in on the footsteps on a stairway, then zooming out to see the entire figure walking of a much older person.

A compelling, riveting and humourous drama

[Stu-5 · 6 March 1999]

Ving Rhames, a largely unknown actor, whom most would remember from Pulp Fiction, gives his role of Don King all he's got, and it really does pay off. It results in one of the decade's best telemovies, leaving the viewer hating yet strangely drawn toward the eccentric King.

It revolves around King's rise to stardom through strongarm tactics. His violent itchy trigger finger deals it's wrath to anyone who gets in the way, and it's his no nonsense approach to boxing which gets him where he is.

The story is revealed through flashbacks, being narrated by an older King. Those are the film's funniest moments. Watching Rhames strut around the ring, whilst smoking a huge cigar and speaking in a near-scream make for extremely humourous moments. Rhames' conviction to the part makes King a character that's both funny and threatening at the same time. He relishes in hyperbole, taking the good with the bad and seeing what you get.

The idiosyncrasies and mannerisms of King are all portrayed masterfully, right down to the wavy Kramer hairstyle. Each of the supporting characters are great, but, watching Jaleel White (that guy from 'Family Matters') play Muhammed Ali just reminds you too much of his sitcom character.

It's a highly satisfying, yet powerful movie. One of the telemovies which can be recommended, which is a rare occasion. This would be a wise choice if Saturday night's viewing is not up to standard.

Nine out of ten.