At a certain age, it can feel like starting over again isn’t possible, especially when all signs discourage you from ever trying again. Dr. Yehya of The Last Round knows this better than most– quitting kickboxing wasn’t an option, but a requirement, with his age and near misses and personal issues taking him out of the arena and into a low point in his life. But despite this, and despite day-to-day difficulties, The Last Round also portrays him getting back up, pursuing his dream one more time. It’s a familiar story, one we’ve seen in many sports shows, but with Ahmed Al-Sakka in the ring, and the careful characterization of the whole team that gets him there, The Last Round knocks our socks out.
Yehya, post-divorce and diagnosed with Alzheimer's like his father, seizes an unexpected chance from Shabaka to pursue his dream of becoming a professional fighter. Motivated by redemption and a desire to connect with his daughter, he persuades Tambi, to train him for a final fight. Yehya struggles with memory loss striving to preserve recollections amid his challenging circumstances.
After his divorce, washed up former kickboxer Dr. Yehya aims to live a normal life raising his daughter, only indulging in underground matches to let off some steam. While moving her things, sports agent Shabaka reaches out to convince him to get back in the ring as Chajih for Egypt’s first major mixed martial arts competition.
The writing. The way important details are revealed is effective, as we get a hint of it visually and emotionally before getting direct confirmation. There’s still some of the melodramatic divorce drama here, but it’s made more palatable through this approach.
Amazon Prime, you gotta promote your international titles better, c'mon.
