Another Side of Mike Tyson

Most of us who came of age in the 80s and 90s know Mike Tyson as a heavyweight champion of the world who self-destructed before our eyes. While he was able to knock folks out in the ring, he seemed to be knocked out in the real world by marriage, drugs, and the demons that haunted him. Now, thanks to the efforts of indie director James Toback, we are able to explore more of the bad-talking, ear-biting boxer in Tyson.

This documentary takes us up close and personal to a man whose life started off badly. His mother wasn't exactly the nurturing type and he didn't know his father. When she moved him to the Brownsville area of Brooklyn, he turned to a life of crime. After spending a few years in juvenile detention, he discovered boxing. Hooking up with trainer Cus D'Amato proved to be the catalyst of the "good" part of his life. He was able to leave his life of crime behind for the sport.

From there, we are taken behind the reports to find out what was going with Mike during the highlights and lowlights of his life. In addition to telling us about his fights, he also spoke about his marriage to Robin Givens, his love and admiration for Cus and how he felt about his death, and his feelings for Desiree Washington, the "wretched swine of a woman" he was accused of raping.

What really makes this film a treat -- in addition to just listening to Mike Tyson use words like "skulduggery" -- is the technique Toback used to shoot the film. While you only hear from Mike himself, the way he goes back and forth between the live interview and the archival footage is absolutely excellent.

Tyson opens in limited release -- which means New York and Los Angeles -- on Friday. We're not sure when the film will hit across the nation, but make sure you see it when it does.