The Golden Boy is much more than the story of Oscar De La Hoya’s legacy as a boxer; it is a revival of his glory days and the dark, toxic, and violent experiences that upheld his rise to fame. Early in the series, Oscar reveals that the infamous promise he made to his dying mother (of him winning the Olympic gold medal) was actually a lie. And as he recalls the abuse he received from his mother and the pain of meeting the ideal of Mexican masculinity, the somber tone of the documentary successfully cements itself. While expounding on his discipline and drive to win, he also reveals his tumultuous love for boxing and the slow descent into promiscuity and drinking that came with his explosive fame. The two-part series gives De La Hoya and his loved ones the chance to confront how severe his cycle of repression was on the quality of life he could’ve had. Leaving no stone (or controversy) unturned, The Golden Boy uncovers the darkest secrets hidden by the glamour.
Nicknamed "The Golden Boy," Oscar De La Hoya – with his good looks, electric charisma, and heartfelt story of winning Olympic gold for his dying mother – rocketed to national prominence as a superstar both in and outside the ring. But all was not what it appeared to be behind that polished facade.
A docu-series that tells the story of Oscar De La Hoya, from his humble beginnings to his status as one of the most successful and controversial boxers of all time.
Vulnerability is expected in documentaries that chronicle the span of someone's life, but the amount of relief seen on Oscar's face is unforgettable. From his own mouth, he laments his dreams of being an artist, the anger from (and hatred) towards his mother, and how often he ran away from his responsibilities as a father. Hearing him express how self-aware he was of his destructive habits and acknowledge how his upbringing failed him strengthens the whole series.
I'm forever impressed and terrified by how much can be hidden behind charisma.
