I have never cared much about sports, but my favorite director is Stanley Kubrick, so I wasn't quite sure what to think going into this short documentary. After all, I'll be the first to say that Kubrick's work up until The Killing was rather bland.
As no exception to the aforementioned rule, Day of the Fight is bland. There is no style and little substance; there is nothing special that elevates it from any other short documentary about boxing. In fact, the main reason it's remembered is because it was directed by Stanley Kubrick, and it only served as one of the stepping stones to pave the way to his future success.
On the other hand, Day of the Fight gave me a much needed appreciation for the world of sports. I'd never before considered the gravity behind an athlete's performance; it determines their career and the ultimate success of their livelihood. I enjoyed the emphasis on Nat's nervousness about waiting for the fight more so than the fight itself. These aspects culminate to a decently suspenseful boxing match, marking the first time I have cared about a sport. Though Day of the Fight was successful as a documentary for me, it is still a forgettably bland movie.
Rating: D.