Homeboy (film)

Homeboy
Movie poster of Homeboy
Directed by	Michael Seresin
Produced by	Elliott Kastner
Written by	Mickey Rourke
Starring	Mickey Rourke Christopher Walken Debra Feuer
Music by	Eric Clapton Michael Kamen
Cinematography	Gale Tattersall
Edited by	Ray Lovejoy
Distributed by	Lionsgate Entertainment
Release date	1988
Running time	115 min.
Country	USA
Language	English

Homeboy is a 1988 drama film, directed by Michael Seresin. It was written by and stars Mickey Rourke in the role of self-destructive cowboy/boxer Johnny Walker. Christopher Walken also stars as Walker's slightly corrupt promoter, who encourages him to fight whilst hiding from him the fact that one more punch in the wrong place would kill him. The film was released on DVD on September 1, 2009.

Johnny Walker (Mickey Rourke) is a down-and-out boxer with brain damage who has recently moved into a sea-side resort. He falls in love with Ruby, a carnival owner who has a lot in common with Johnny. He also befriends Wesley Pendergrass (Christopher Walken), a corrupt promoter. Wesley and Johnny form a strong friendship, and it's clear that Johnny comes to idolize Wesley who wants to use Johnny as muscle in a robbery and asks for his help. Johnny has to choose between the love of Ruby (Debra Feuer) or the friendship of Wesley.

Exterior shots in Asbury Park include the boardwalk, the beach, Paramount Theatre, Cookman Avenue. Shots in Belmar include Alfred's Ice Cream Cafe and Pied Piper Ice Cream. Interior shots in Asbury Park include the Convention Hall and Belmar Barber Shop in Belmar. The Tillie mural and the Palace Amusements building can be seen in the background, a staple of Asbury Park and its culture. During the boxing scenes, the Convention Hall is used as the venue. This is the first of two times Rourke used the famed venue in films. The second was for 2008's The Wrestler.

Christopher Walken told Film Comment in August, 1992: