Blistering performances.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Stallone wants his 8? The Hound will give him 7 and he doesn't negotiate! In all seriousness, FIST is a very good film. Not a great one, but infinitely more rich than most of Stallone's action-based films of the 80s. Back then, Stallone knew there was more to the business than just flexing his muscles. But once he got a taste of financial success, that was about all he did going forward. FIST is a near-epic production about the rise and eventual fall of a labor leader based on Jimmy Hoffa. We see Stallone as Johnny Kovac, a warehouse laborer who joins a trucking union first as a recruiter, and then later as a leader. Along the way he has to battle greedy corporate types, corrupt union bosses, and eventually a grand-standing senator. We also see him woo his wife and clash with his more idealistic buddy. Eventually the mafia is bringing down the union,too. We see a little of everything, and through it all, Stallone gives a very good performance The film is well-cast, well-filmed, and well-acted. Where it falters is with the script penned by Stallone and Joe Esterhas. Yes, THAT Joe Esterhas. (or however its spelled). He also wrote several successful scripts like Basic Instinct, Flashdance, and others. Here he seems compelled to show us the details of depression era Cleveland in all its working-class glory. Notice the detail in the scenes where Stallone is trying to woo Melinda Dillon by making nice with her family. Then, after some intense labor violence, all of a sudden Stallone is some kind of executive within the organization. Its like there's a whole second act missing, even though the movie is nearly two and a half hours long. The last hour dealing with Stallone's downfall contains few surprises, as most viewers will recognize the Hoffa connections.But by all means check this film out if you can find it. As an actor, Stallone didn't tread this way really ever again. The cast is great, too. Rod Steiger is good in a smaller role as the senator. Kevin Conway steals some scenes as a crooked associate. Look for Peter Boyle in an early role as a corrupt union boss. Though not quite a great film, FIST is a winner. See it! 7 of 10 stars.The Hound.

During the depression, unions were important, being that there weren't many and workers were exploited. And that's what this movie shows from the first minute to the last, all within a two-and-a-half hour epic that needed more humanity than plot: that is, the moments between the strikes and hardships were too few and far between, never really getting to know the characters as actual people.Sylvester Stallone, fresh from his breakthrough in ROCKY, is hit-or-miss. His sometimes mumbling, other times voracious character moves up the ladder, from put-upon factory worker to spokesman for a trucker's union, way too fast. And the side-characters, including Peter Boyle and Rod Steiger, serve only as fuel to entice or enrage Stallone: who's fighting for a real cause... but it's all too heavy, and goes on way too long, to be genuinely effective.

F.I.S.T. is one of the few films out there that illustrate Sly Stallone's great acting talents. Stallone really brings his character, Johnny Kovak, to life and gives one of his most memorable performances. This film shows that, having gone a different route, Stallone could have become a much better actor. After this film, Stallone had a few other good films but the majority were crumby sequels, cliché action films, and poor attempts at comedy. It's really a shame he didn't put his talents to better use like he did in his earlier work like Rocky, and Nighthawks.The film begins in the Great Depression of the 30's and follows the life of Johnny Kovak, a labourer who works at unloading trucks. Who, with his coworkers after being severely mistreated, and underpaid fights back against the company. This leads to Kovak becoming a member of the Union F.I.S.T, the Federation of Innner-State Truckers. At first idealistic, Kovak's morals and values are challenged when he has to get organized crime groups involved to get what's fair.My only complaint with the film is, in the later scenes were Stallone plays an older Kovak, his portrayal is a bit weak given his limited acting abilities at the time. This, however is only a minor complaint, he still gives a great performance.The script is good, all the characters are realistic and well fleshed out,and the great director, Norman Jewison puts his talents to good use in F.I.S.T. Also, filled with a fantastic supporting cast (including, Peter Boyle, and Rod Steiger) all these elements come together to make F.I.S.T. a film that is definitely worth seeing.

This film proved that Sly could really act in lead dramatic role. What has happened since have been sub-par performances (although big grossing films) from Sly. This film is about Johnny Kovak, a blue collar factory worker during the 1930's who rises to the top of a national union called F.I.S.T or Federation of Interstate Truckers. It was said it was loosely based on the life of Jimmy Hoffa who like johnny's character vanishes at the end of the film. This film really captured what it must have been like in the days before there was such a thing as worker safety, and that sticking your neck out to support a union would have gotten you killed. No one could have played this part better than Sly with his street smart looks, and tough guy persona which works in this film and does not lead to cheesy moments as his other films did. In this film it was about survival. Also what is interesting about this film is how it shows how power corrupts even the best of people when they are giving too much of it. Johnny Kovak rose to the top and gained a lot of power but in the process made enemies with the men who helped get him there. In any case if you are familiar with the story of Jimmy Hoffa you will understand when you see this film.Too bad Sly never stayed with these types of roles....he really could act...