COLUMBIA TRISTAR has released the semi-biographical "JOE AND MAX" on dvd.  Originally made for cable, "JOE AND MAX" examines the relationship between boxers Joe Louis and Max Schmeling.  The film starts with their original fight in 1936, and we quickly see that both are held up as icons from their respective communities, Joe comes from the Harlem in America, and Max from Germany.  Director Steve James tries to capture the hypocrisy of the prejudice existing at the time, with Hitler and Nazi Germany trying to hold Schmeling up as the perfect image of Nazism, but furious over the fact he associates with Jews.  Back in the United States, Louis must deal with prejudice as well, realizing many feel the same hatred towards the idea of him possibly winning the championship over a white man.

While many associated Schmeling with Hitler's racism, apparently nothing could be further from the truth.  The two fighters began a friendship which continued decades later.  Unfortunately,  while there are some great scenes, and the fighting is intense, the storyline is very comic-book like in tone.  There's no real depth to the relationship formed, and that's what one would expect the film to be about!

Director Steve James has demonstrated great skill for conveying emotional depth in his prior documentary, "HOOP DREAMS," but unfortunately none of that is present here.  We never really get to know what drives these two characters, and while the film raises many important questions, it never truly answers them.