66 reviews
Great movie, good morals
I saw this film at the premier at Sundance. I went into the film expecting to see another typical action packed boxing movie. However, I was greatly impressed with the film, it was a lot better than I had expected. The performances by all the actors were solid. I was especially impressed with Dakota Goyo, who played Teddy, and apparently so was Josh, who commented on how easy it was for him to play his own role because of the level of talent Dakota has. Also, all three female characters played solid roles, which enhanced the depth of Josh Hartnett's character. This movie was able to provide a great story without the usual trash that's seen in many of the films we see today. This movie emphasized the importance of values and honesty which I think everyone needs to be reminded of.
- kenji_tsuk
- Jan 20, 2007
- Permalink
This movie deserves more attention
This movie deserves more attention that what it has now (and distribution). Samuel L. Jackson played against type and did a wonderful job. It was also Josh Hartnett's best performance. The story is thought-provoking, heart-warming, and interesting.
The writing is solid and the performances impressive across the board -- even the kid who played Hartnett's son was excellent. As a writer, I really appreciate the themes on telling the truth, fame, integrity, responsibilities, talent, etc. The father-son theme echoes throughout the entire film. Like Field of Dreams, this is a guy's chick flick. Take your husbands, sons or fathers and go see this movie.
The writing is solid and the performances impressive across the board -- even the kid who played Hartnett's son was excellent. As a writer, I really appreciate the themes on telling the truth, fame, integrity, responsibilities, talent, etc. The father-son theme echoes throughout the entire film. Like Field of Dreams, this is a guy's chick flick. Take your husbands, sons or fathers and go see this movie.
- maestro-20
- Sep 3, 2007
- Permalink
One of the best films since "The Shawshank Redemption"
I had the privilege of seeing an advance screening of "Resurrecting the Champ" earlier tonight, followed by a Q & A with director Rod Lurie and screenwriter Michael Bortman. This is an extraordinary motion pictures. In my opinion, this film has the best writing, characterization and dramatic construction of any film released so far this year. The performances are stellar across the board, with a special mention to the film's leads, Josh Hartnett and Sam Jackson. Hartnett's character is torn between his ambition as an up and coming investigative journalist and his integrity as a man, a husband, a father and a son. Jackson plays "Champ", a one-time up and coming boxer who climbs the ranks to #3 in the world, to eventually be reduced to a homeless man scaling the trash cans of Denver.
Hartnett and Jackson create an unexpected friendship in his quest to write a magazine article about the journey of this man's forgotten life. Along the way, the film explores the themes of integrity, honesty, vulnerability, authenticity, truth, consequence, and family is an entertaining, emotional and significant fashion. The entire film breathes energy into the value and importance of responsibility and trust, and how abusing them can lead to consequences that can only be cured by forgiveness and a re-commitment to being true to one's character. The way that Hartnett's characters comes to understand the damages he could do to his relationship with his son, by living through it with champ is powerful and a important lesson for all parents.
I truly hope this film gets the respect and attention it deserves from critics and audiences alike. Comes Oscar time, I would come to expect "Resurrecting the Champ" to be on the minds of many. When it comes to films that you can sense the passion and heart of the storytelling being present in every frame, this one is near the top of that list. 10/10!
Hartnett and Jackson create an unexpected friendship in his quest to write a magazine article about the journey of this man's forgotten life. Along the way, the film explores the themes of integrity, honesty, vulnerability, authenticity, truth, consequence, and family is an entertaining, emotional and significant fashion. The entire film breathes energy into the value and importance of responsibility and trust, and how abusing them can lead to consequences that can only be cured by forgiveness and a re-commitment to being true to one's character. The way that Hartnett's characters comes to understand the damages he could do to his relationship with his son, by living through it with champ is powerful and a important lesson for all parents.
I truly hope this film gets the respect and attention it deserves from critics and audiences alike. Comes Oscar time, I would come to expect "Resurrecting the Champ" to be on the minds of many. When it comes to films that you can sense the passion and heart of the storytelling being present in every frame, this one is near the top of that list. 10/10!
- transcendingpictures
- Aug 2, 2007
- Permalink
I actually knew the Champ
Hi, today I was reading the Los Angeles Times magazine and saw a full page ad on the movie. I said to myself, "that looks like the Champ, I knew". I looked at the website for the movie and found that it in fact was about "Bobby Satterfield" the Champ I knew. A little about myself that will tell you that the story is true. I was a Police Officer in Santa Ana, CA for 25 yrs and worked the area that the Champ lived in. I have not seen the movie in that it is due out on Friday, but have read the article and still have a copy of it, that was in the L.A. Times. All of us cops knew the Champ as Bobby Satterfield and knew no different until the article about him came out in the paper. The Champ was truly a homeless person even though he had an ex-wife that lived on Polplar St in Santa Ana. The Champ was a kind person who had a shopping cart(a Santa Ana Winnebago) that he kept all sorts of junk in. He was no harm unless he was drunk and then could become very aggressive. He would go to liquor stores with a little broom and sweep up and pick up around the store, and probably get a beer for it. I always got along well with the Champ and always said Hi to him and sometimes even gave him a few bucks(he never panhandled me or asked). I do know that he had some pretty good fights with some of my cohorts when he was drunk however. I hope that he got a few bucks out of this film(I don't even know if he is still alive, I retired 6 yrs ago and he was looking aged then). I can not wait to see the movie. I am not sure how or what they portray him as, but the basic facts are true. I can always be contacted if you desire. Enjoy
Better than expected
Okay, the film is actually pretty good and a far cry from what I expected, though nowhere near as good as a 10 Star film that I've seen listed on many of these comments. The film is passable, and even enjoyable at times, with a good message and a meaningful story about fathers and sons at its core.
Hartnett, like the rest of the cast, do a serviceable job and the acting is pretty good throughout the film, though people thinking Jackson will win or even be nominated for a flick like this need to put down the Kool Aid. It's a nice little film, a modest surprise even, but hardly anything award worthy.
You can read my full review online at RazorFine Review.
Hartnett, like the rest of the cast, do a serviceable job and the acting is pretty good throughout the film, though people thinking Jackson will win or even be nominated for a flick like this need to put down the Kool Aid. It's a nice little film, a modest surprise even, but hardly anything award worthy.
You can read my full review online at RazorFine Review.
This was a pleasant surprise
Where did this movie come from? When I went to see it, I had heard nothing. No previews, no commercials, nothing. Thus, having no expectations, this small touching film, was a pleasant surprise. Director, Rod Lurie, who until a few years ago, was a - gasp!- critic, could have moved things along a little faster and perhaps cut down the subplots a little, but this is still an enjoyable film, with an Oscar-worthy performance from Samuel L. Jackson. The story is strong and there are some good characters, particularly in small roles. The project is apparently a true story (sort of) based on a Los Angeles Times article.
Josh Hartnett is Erik, a struggling sports reporter who comes across a homeless man with a tale to tell. It seems the indigent man, known around the neighborhood as 'Champ', whom Erik saves from the cruel attentions of some young idiots, was once a semi-successful boxer named 'Battling Bob' Satterfield who had been rated 3rd in the world. Erik sets out to tell the man's story, for both of their benefit. Look for David Paymer and Teri Hatcher in small roles. Alan Alda has a very good supporting role as well, as Erik's boss, Metz.
This was a pretty good drama that I saw as a kind of cross between The Fisher King and Street Smart. Some might find it too slow, but I felt that my patience was rewarded with a very good third act and a good overall viewing experience.
This work was first posted on realmoviereview.com
Josh Hartnett is Erik, a struggling sports reporter who comes across a homeless man with a tale to tell. It seems the indigent man, known around the neighborhood as 'Champ', whom Erik saves from the cruel attentions of some young idiots, was once a semi-successful boxer named 'Battling Bob' Satterfield who had been rated 3rd in the world. Erik sets out to tell the man's story, for both of their benefit. Look for David Paymer and Teri Hatcher in small roles. Alan Alda has a very good supporting role as well, as Erik's boss, Metz.
This was a pretty good drama that I saw as a kind of cross between The Fisher King and Street Smart. Some might find it too slow, but I felt that my patience was rewarded with a very good third act and a good overall viewing experience.
This work was first posted on realmoviereview.com
Good Human Interest Story With Very Good Casting
- AudioFileZ
- Apr 12, 2008
- Permalink
It would've been a great family movie yet...
The story rolls out in just the right pace, keeping the focus to live up to the title, making the viewers assume the good things. Yet the twist comes and crashes all expectations. I like how the plot diverts the viewers' expectations from anticipating something good into getting curious about what will happen next. Yet the twist comes in a less surprising manner that it doesn't really depict the big disaster impacted on Erik's character. I like how the later parts of the movie where Erik reconciles his relationship with his son. Despite the child depicted here is a kid, the scenes will serve as a good educational material for teens and older children in the matters of trust and family relations. Although I must also say that the family content doesn't really focus up until near the end of the movie. Josh Hartnett acted just an average performance here in my opinion. Yet I like how Samuel L. Jackson get into character, making up the voice for the homeless champ. Kathryn Morris and Dakota Goyo did a nice job in giving the live on the family scenes that this movie critically needed.
Resurrecting the Champ
Resurrecting the Champ is a movie co-starring Samuel L. Jackson and Josh Hartnett, in which struggling sports writer Erik Kernan (Hartnett) meets a homeless man who claims to be "Champ," a former boxing champion who many believe to be dead (Jackson). Kernan proposes to write a story about the Champ, hoping to give himself a much-needed career boost. At the same time he is writing the story, Kernan is also attempting to save his failing marriage and be a father his son can admire and be proud of.
Hartnett is an award-winning actor who has most recently starred in The Black Dahlia and Lucky Number Slevin (2006). Jackson was nominated for an Oscar for his supporting role in Pulp Fiction (1994) and has been nominated for and won numerous other awards in his acting career. Resurrecting the Champ is directed by Rod Lurie who has also directed television series "Commander in Chief" (2005) and "Line of Fire" (2003-04).
The actors in this movie play their roles convincingly, from Hartnett and Jackson to Dakota Goyo, who plays Hartnett's six-year-old son. Resurrecting the Champ works on a number of levels. It has boxing for those who are sports enthusiasts, it presents the issue of ethics in the work place, particularly journalism, but the movie can also appeal on a more all-inclusive level as we watch the characters struggle with the consequences of the lies they have told in order to live up to others' expectations.
This movie can appeal to anyone who enjoys a straightforward drama. It has a number of angle--boxing, journalism, family, lies, redemption-- but focuses on a universal theme so that multiple types of audiences can be entertained.
Hartnett is an award-winning actor who has most recently starred in The Black Dahlia and Lucky Number Slevin (2006). Jackson was nominated for an Oscar for his supporting role in Pulp Fiction (1994) and has been nominated for and won numerous other awards in his acting career. Resurrecting the Champ is directed by Rod Lurie who has also directed television series "Commander in Chief" (2005) and "Line of Fire" (2003-04).
The actors in this movie play their roles convincingly, from Hartnett and Jackson to Dakota Goyo, who plays Hartnett's six-year-old son. Resurrecting the Champ works on a number of levels. It has boxing for those who are sports enthusiasts, it presents the issue of ethics in the work place, particularly journalism, but the movie can also appeal on a more all-inclusive level as we watch the characters struggle with the consequences of the lies they have told in order to live up to others' expectations.
This movie can appeal to anyone who enjoys a straightforward drama. It has a number of angle--boxing, journalism, family, lies, redemption-- but focuses on a universal theme so that multiple types of audiences can be entertained.
- katiebird062
- Sep 2, 2007
- Permalink
Jackson Is Fantastic Here In Yet Another Excellent Drama Involving Boxing
This was a very entertaining film with just the right mixture of action, drama, romance and intrigue. The latter - a big shock that occurs two-thirds of the way through the story - gives it its unique flavor. Otherwise, it's still a nice story of fathers-and-sons and the love and respect that's so important between the two of them. It also involves husbands and wives reconciling.
I've seen Samuel L. Jackson in a lot of movies and so I am quite aware what a fine actor he is, so I wasn't surprised he was so good in this film. However, I was still stunned at his performance. It's definitely the best character I've seen him play, partly because of his sentimental role but more so simply because he dominated this film. Josh Hartnett was fine in the co-leading role of this story but it was Jackson who really got my attention in every scene.
This is a very involving story that grabs you and won't let go. What is it about boxing stories, or stories that involve boxers, that make them so memorable? I don't know, but I've seen very few bad ones and certainly no boring ones. Many of them, like this one, have more of a human element than just being a sport story. Actually, there isn't a lot of ring action in this film, so I wouldn't label it a boxing film. As a drama, or whatever you want to label it, it's a fine movie and a good way to spend two hours.
Highly recommended.
I've seen Samuel L. Jackson in a lot of movies and so I am quite aware what a fine actor he is, so I wasn't surprised he was so good in this film. However, I was still stunned at his performance. It's definitely the best character I've seen him play, partly because of his sentimental role but more so simply because he dominated this film. Josh Hartnett was fine in the co-leading role of this story but it was Jackson who really got my attention in every scene.
This is a very involving story that grabs you and won't let go. What is it about boxing stories, or stories that involve boxers, that make them so memorable? I don't know, but I've seen very few bad ones and certainly no boring ones. Many of them, like this one, have more of a human element than just being a sport story. Actually, there isn't a lot of ring action in this film, so I wouldn't label it a boxing film. As a drama, or whatever you want to label it, it's a fine movie and a good way to spend two hours.
Highly recommended.
- ccthemovieman-1
- Apr 11, 2008
- Permalink
Mixed: Clichés, but some uplifting parts
MAJOR SPOILER ALERT! Erik, a young newspaper sports writer (Josh Hartnet, in a surprisingly great acting job) is stalled in his career because, as his editor (a nicely aged Alan Alda) points out, his writing has no personality, no pizazz. It's so boring "I forget your writing even as I read it." Erik also is separated from his wife and 6 year-old son. The estranged wife still lives in their million-dollar house. I was bothered by that: How could a low-status sports hack for a local newspaper afford it?
In a series of laughable clichés, Erik earnestly strains to spend "quality time" with his son, and, one suspects, win his wife back. He and his comely wife get along so well, one has no idea how they ever separated in the first place. That set-up smelled fake. Erik lies to his kid, claiming to know all the famous sports heroes; the kid is chirpy and so innocent and Hollywood sweet you almost want to slap him (not really, but the kid character WAS annoying).
Erik then meets an old bum named Champ (Samuel L. Jackson, with a wonderful pitch-perfect acting job) who was famous in 1950s as a world-class boxer who almost won the world title. Everyone thought the famous boxer died 20 years ago.
Erik sees a chance to score big in his career by doing a major story on Champ, his old glory days, and his fall from grace, etc. He dishonestly hides the idea from his editor (Alda), and goes over his head to the Publishers, who love it, and approve it.
It takes a few days, and what looked like a few hundred dollars (where DID that bush league reporter get all that dough?), for Champ to open up to Erik, and the story is then run as the cover story for the local Sunday supplement newspaper magazine. It takes him only 3 days to be a new star commentator on Showtime's TV cable sports show, and get a stack of lucrative offers from other publications.
Then an old boxing authority figure reveals to Erik that Champ is NOT the actual old famous boxer, but merely one of the real boxer's minor opponents; one who, in fact, the real boxer knocked out in merely 2 rounds. OK. It turns out that the famous boxer who was rumoured to have died 20 years ago really DID die 20 years ago.
We've heard so much about fabricated news stories in the last 10 or 15 years, and several movies and TV shows have covered it well. Been done to death, and is old news now. Various publications have also, in real life, been duped by con artists into printing false stories. It is embarrassing for the journalists, but hardly criminal, and not fatal. Erik did MOST of what he should have to verify the Champ's story, but indeed, there were probably a couple of things he could have tried a bit harder to verify. As it was, all he was guilty of was being tricked.
The movie tries to make much more of it, and the movie throws in virtually every possible dramatic angle and tired old cliché you could imagine. They crammed in things involving the ex-wife, the kid, the lying, the Champ, the real old dead boxer's surviving son, lawsuits, possible disgrace, etc.
Then at the end of the movie, all the problems mysteriously and magically disappear! Everything "gets all better," perfect, really, out of the blue. It all gets healed in the final scene. I am not sure exactly HOW it all got resolved, but it was. Even Champ, the bum who kept getting beaten up by local teenagers, finally redeems himself by beating the crap out of his main tormentor, then dying of a heart attack. His poetically avenged soul can now ascend, evidently, satisfied and properly redeemed, to Reformed Bum Heaven. Erik gets back with Wifey-Pooh. The kid's whiny little faith in his Super Dad was restored, and Erik's journalism career suddenly takes off and he becomes respected and famous, etc. He is suddenly transformed into this new hot property--- a journalistic "Phenom," a great writer and news star.
One wondered, in addition to the million dollar house, where did Erik's writing talent suddenly come from? If he was a crap and dull hack writer on Friday, how did he come close to a Pulitzer Prize the next Friday? And become a famous and beloved hot-shot journalist the week after that? Too many contrivances for me! The movie, therefore, had a rushed and clumsy vibe about it. Half-baked. It tried to cover WAY too much.
One last thing, and one of the surest signs of a novice director (Rod Lurie), virtually EVERYBODY was eating, and talking with their mouths full of food. In real life, constant eating and grunting and gasping and gulping whilst talking and interacting with others is rude and low class. Why is it that new directors have the mistaken belief that all those body functions cranked up to full volume on the big screen equal, mysteriously, verisimilitude? It's as if those shallow directors, exhibiting a puerile "film school" mentality, think they are "keeping it real"? Can't they comprehend human life and the ironies and dilemmas of human existence any deeper than that? What's next? Farts? Picking noses? Yuck! They just don't get it.
Overall, parts of this movie WERE kind of satisfying and sweet. And a bit uplifting. But also, parts were saccharine, soppy, stilted, stoopid, and clumsy.
I will say that the actor who played Polly, the newspaper's research librarian, was great. She was both beautiful and intriguing, but also had an intelligent and captivating look about her. Her name is Rachel Nichols, and I expect we'll be seeing more of her in the future.
In a series of laughable clichés, Erik earnestly strains to spend "quality time" with his son, and, one suspects, win his wife back. He and his comely wife get along so well, one has no idea how they ever separated in the first place. That set-up smelled fake. Erik lies to his kid, claiming to know all the famous sports heroes; the kid is chirpy and so innocent and Hollywood sweet you almost want to slap him (not really, but the kid character WAS annoying).
Erik then meets an old bum named Champ (Samuel L. Jackson, with a wonderful pitch-perfect acting job) who was famous in 1950s as a world-class boxer who almost won the world title. Everyone thought the famous boxer died 20 years ago.
Erik sees a chance to score big in his career by doing a major story on Champ, his old glory days, and his fall from grace, etc. He dishonestly hides the idea from his editor (Alda), and goes over his head to the Publishers, who love it, and approve it.
It takes a few days, and what looked like a few hundred dollars (where DID that bush league reporter get all that dough?), for Champ to open up to Erik, and the story is then run as the cover story for the local Sunday supplement newspaper magazine. It takes him only 3 days to be a new star commentator on Showtime's TV cable sports show, and get a stack of lucrative offers from other publications.
Then an old boxing authority figure reveals to Erik that Champ is NOT the actual old famous boxer, but merely one of the real boxer's minor opponents; one who, in fact, the real boxer knocked out in merely 2 rounds. OK. It turns out that the famous boxer who was rumoured to have died 20 years ago really DID die 20 years ago.
We've heard so much about fabricated news stories in the last 10 or 15 years, and several movies and TV shows have covered it well. Been done to death, and is old news now. Various publications have also, in real life, been duped by con artists into printing false stories. It is embarrassing for the journalists, but hardly criminal, and not fatal. Erik did MOST of what he should have to verify the Champ's story, but indeed, there were probably a couple of things he could have tried a bit harder to verify. As it was, all he was guilty of was being tricked.
The movie tries to make much more of it, and the movie throws in virtually every possible dramatic angle and tired old cliché you could imagine. They crammed in things involving the ex-wife, the kid, the lying, the Champ, the real old dead boxer's surviving son, lawsuits, possible disgrace, etc.
Then at the end of the movie, all the problems mysteriously and magically disappear! Everything "gets all better," perfect, really, out of the blue. It all gets healed in the final scene. I am not sure exactly HOW it all got resolved, but it was. Even Champ, the bum who kept getting beaten up by local teenagers, finally redeems himself by beating the crap out of his main tormentor, then dying of a heart attack. His poetically avenged soul can now ascend, evidently, satisfied and properly redeemed, to Reformed Bum Heaven. Erik gets back with Wifey-Pooh. The kid's whiny little faith in his Super Dad was restored, and Erik's journalism career suddenly takes off and he becomes respected and famous, etc. He is suddenly transformed into this new hot property--- a journalistic "Phenom," a great writer and news star.
One wondered, in addition to the million dollar house, where did Erik's writing talent suddenly come from? If he was a crap and dull hack writer on Friday, how did he come close to a Pulitzer Prize the next Friday? And become a famous and beloved hot-shot journalist the week after that? Too many contrivances for me! The movie, therefore, had a rushed and clumsy vibe about it. Half-baked. It tried to cover WAY too much.
One last thing, and one of the surest signs of a novice director (Rod Lurie), virtually EVERYBODY was eating, and talking with their mouths full of food. In real life, constant eating and grunting and gasping and gulping whilst talking and interacting with others is rude and low class. Why is it that new directors have the mistaken belief that all those body functions cranked up to full volume on the big screen equal, mysteriously, verisimilitude? It's as if those shallow directors, exhibiting a puerile "film school" mentality, think they are "keeping it real"? Can't they comprehend human life and the ironies and dilemmas of human existence any deeper than that? What's next? Farts? Picking noses? Yuck! They just don't get it.
Overall, parts of this movie WERE kind of satisfying and sweet. And a bit uplifting. But also, parts were saccharine, soppy, stilted, stoopid, and clumsy.
I will say that the actor who played Polly, the newspaper's research librarian, was great. She was both beautiful and intriguing, but also had an intelligent and captivating look about her. Her name is Rachel Nichols, and I expect we'll be seeing more of her in the future.
An Amazing Experience!
I saw this movie recently at a screening. Everybody's already talked about the plot so I don't need to get into those details. What I think this movie will be known for is its performances (more on that in a second...), and its how uplifting it is. You leave the movie feeling great and for reasons that I will not get into, it makes you want to call your dad and tell him how much you love him (or your son). A lot of people will talk about Samuel L. Jackson's portrayal of the worn-out boxer, but the true revelation of the film is the acting of Josh Hartnett, who I have never thought could be so believable or appealing. He has always been just kind of a pretty boy, really. But here, he plays a father, a husband, a journalist, and according to Aristotle's definition, a classic "Tragic Hero." He desires to impress his son to the degree that he sometimes bends the truth a bit too often...which ultimately annihilates his relationship with his son. The child, Teddy, is played by a kid named Dakota Goyo, who will become a big star. Teri Hatcher's cameo brought humor to the film when needed. If I had a criticism, it is that the film might be a tiny bit lengthy; however, every moment of the film was well-done. I wouldn't know how to make it shorter. I highly recommend this movie to everyone.
Jackson delivers a knock out performance in an otherwise melodramatic muddle
- george.schmidt
- Aug 26, 2007
- Permalink
Weak attempt at Shattered Glass
- dontre-conerly
- Aug 21, 2007
- Permalink
young journalist meets down and out boxer
Almost a year ago, I saw the first half of this movie at a special screening for students at a major university. They were held spellbound by the superb storytelling, the fascinating characters, and the manner in which writer-director Rod Lurie was able to include complex themes about journalism, sports, and the relationship of personal integrity to both. When this movie reached its mid-point, and the lights went up so that a discussion could commence, I could feel the sense of shock among those who had attended that they were not going to see how 'things turned out' and would have to wait a year. My guess? They will all be first in line to see the film this coming Friday when it opens nationally. I know I will be! here's about the highest compliment I can pay the film and its maker: On the one hand, this is very much a contemporary film, once that addresses all the issues that are most important to thinking people, those who still try to live a moral life in what appears to be an amoral world, in a way that touches very deep at what the best movies have always been all about. At the same time, it hones to the rules of classical cinema, the great tradition of narrative storytelling that most of today's movie makers don't appear to understand. In particular, Lurie's approach reminds me of Frank Capra: His work, like Capra's, is always political, whether it's that great indie film THE CONTENDER or the superb COMMANDER IN CHIEF on TV, the show that may well have paved the way in popular culture for Americans to openly embrace a female president some two years from now. More important, though, Lurie doesn't merely make politics the subject of many of his films and TV shows, which in and of itself does not necessarily qualify a film as truly 'political.' In the tradition of Capra, who made IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT as political (if by implication) as MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON, Rod Lurie is able to give a political sensibility to a seeming action film like THE LAST CASTLE or a human drama, with sports/journalism background, like THE CHAMP. This is about politics in the broadest and deepest sense - the politics of life itself. The plot seems simple enough: an aspiring journalist (Josh Hartnett) discovers a washed up boxer (Samuel L. Jackson) and decides to do them both a favor by resurrecting the champ and also making a Pulitzer level writer out of himself. But all is not as it seems. I would die before I'd give away the mid-movie twist, but I can tell you this: it's the best since THE CRYING GAME (though this one does NOT entail anyone's sexual identity!!!). This was the point where I had to stop watching. I can't wait to see what happens and will report back just as soon as I've seen the entire movie with a further commentary. IN the meantime, here's proof that the summer blockbusters are (thankfully) receding and that it's time for intelligent people to go back to the movies. If you're one of them (You know who you are!), this is the one to see.
Good film but could have been a real contender
Again writing takes second place to star placement and soapiness. That being said the film attempts to be current and relevant but it pales in comparison to "Shattered Glass" which let us connect more with a up and coming, or want to be up and coming, journalist. In Resurrecting the Champ the two main characters, Eric and Champ aren't very well fleshed out; not enough for the audience to really care about them. Eric's wife Joyce and Alan Alda's editor character let you know in just a few well written lines who they really are, but there are no just well written lines for the supposed stars of the movie. Samuel plays his character well but we really don't truly understand even in the end how he got where he was. This story seems to be about fathers and their sons but in the end the three characters that should have connected, the ones in Eric's final story, really do not connect as much as we would have liked.
- judywalker2
- Aug 24, 2007
- Permalink
Still, it's worth a rental...
There's a scene near the end of Resurrecting the Champ in which a sorrowful, despondent young man is imbibing in a dive bar. The door opens, and the young man's boss walks in and notes the predictability (and banality) of drowning one's sorrows in liquor, particularly after a little humiliation has occurred. The interaction was a little ironic, because up until just a scene or two earlier the movie seemed to be fairly predictable and straightforward. Luckily, the story zig-zagged thereafter.
To be honest, I wasn't really sure I wanted to watch Resurrecting the Champ, a drama about a young reporter who discovers that a former boxing great is living on the streets of Denver. It sounded a little too melodramatic for my tastes, following the formula of the idealistic lad saving the bitter ex-jock.
But that's not quite how it goes. Erik Kernan, Jr. (Josh Hartnett) is a reporter for a Denver newspaper. He covers boxing, but his stories are buried deep in the sports section by his boss, Ralph Metz (Alan Alda), who pegs Erik's writing as ordinary but sufficient. Meanwhile, Erik is dealing with his separation from his wife Joyce (Kathryn Morris), who has custody of their young son Teddy, and he feels as if he's stuck in stasis with his current job.
All of that changes when, while walking home late one night, he comes across a trio of drunken college-age kids beating up a homeless man. The homeless man, known as Champ (Samuel L. Jackson) mentions that he's Bob Satterfield, a pugilist long thought to have shuffled off this mortal coil. He regales Erik with tales within the squared circle, including fights against Rocky Marciano and Floyd Patterson. Naturally, Erik sees this as an opportunity to do some substantive writing for a change, and with Champ's permission he writes a story for a local magazine profiling Champ and his post-boxing life.
Everything goes along swimmingly, as you might expect, until it does not, which you also might expect. What you might not expect is how and when the tone shifts – and how the principal characters each deal with the change. The film seems to be asking us who the victim and the antagonist are in this play.
The good news is that Jackson is on fire. He rises above caricature in his portrayal of Champ – he doesn't go for cheap laughs or oversell Champ's homelessness or personality twitches. His Champ seems to have been come by honestly; in retrospect, the performance feels authentic and divinely from the heart. Jackson doesn't satirize a homeless wreck of a man, he inhabits him.
The more-disappointing news is that Hartnett is a little underwhelming. He's been excellent (Lucky Number Slevin) before, but here he just didn't rise to the challenge. Hartnett tries his best to convey the deep emotion that Erik feels, but he spends way too much time using "run fingers through own hair" as a way to show consternation or frustration. Or elation, for that matter.
#3,980 is a fine, understated film that doesn't really take off until the final reel, and even then the denouement falls a little flat.
To be honest, I wasn't really sure I wanted to watch Resurrecting the Champ, a drama about a young reporter who discovers that a former boxing great is living on the streets of Denver. It sounded a little too melodramatic for my tastes, following the formula of the idealistic lad saving the bitter ex-jock.
But that's not quite how it goes. Erik Kernan, Jr. (Josh Hartnett) is a reporter for a Denver newspaper. He covers boxing, but his stories are buried deep in the sports section by his boss, Ralph Metz (Alan Alda), who pegs Erik's writing as ordinary but sufficient. Meanwhile, Erik is dealing with his separation from his wife Joyce (Kathryn Morris), who has custody of their young son Teddy, and he feels as if he's stuck in stasis with his current job.
All of that changes when, while walking home late one night, he comes across a trio of drunken college-age kids beating up a homeless man. The homeless man, known as Champ (Samuel L. Jackson) mentions that he's Bob Satterfield, a pugilist long thought to have shuffled off this mortal coil. He regales Erik with tales within the squared circle, including fights against Rocky Marciano and Floyd Patterson. Naturally, Erik sees this as an opportunity to do some substantive writing for a change, and with Champ's permission he writes a story for a local magazine profiling Champ and his post-boxing life.
Everything goes along swimmingly, as you might expect, until it does not, which you also might expect. What you might not expect is how and when the tone shifts – and how the principal characters each deal with the change. The film seems to be asking us who the victim and the antagonist are in this play.
The good news is that Jackson is on fire. He rises above caricature in his portrayal of Champ – he doesn't go for cheap laughs or oversell Champ's homelessness or personality twitches. His Champ seems to have been come by honestly; in retrospect, the performance feels authentic and divinely from the heart. Jackson doesn't satirize a homeless wreck of a man, he inhabits him.
The more-disappointing news is that Hartnett is a little underwhelming. He's been excellent (Lucky Number Slevin) before, but here he just didn't rise to the challenge. Hartnett tries his best to convey the deep emotion that Erik feels, but he spends way too much time using "run fingers through own hair" as a way to show consternation or frustration. Or elation, for that matter.
#3,980 is a fine, understated film that doesn't really take off until the final reel, and even then the denouement falls a little flat.
- dfranzen70
- May 2, 2016
- Permalink
It's all about fathers and sons
I don't know why, but I really like sports movies. I am not a sports fans, per se, but I like movies about sports. This film ranks up with the best that I have seen.
I do not say that for the sports angle, because that just framed the real story here. I wish I could repeat the story that writer Erik Kernan Jr. (Josh Hartnett) did at the end because it said it all. Fathers sometimes lie to their sons because they want them to think they are the king of the world, even when they are not. It's human nature. The problem is, that sometimes you get caught as Kernan did, and as the Champ (Samuel L. Jackson) did.
This was a beautiful story about that relationship between fathers and sons and it was also a great story about being a man.
It had some great performances besides the two mentioned: Kathryn Morris ("Cold Case") as Erik's wife and co-worker, Alan Alda as his boss, Teri Hatcher as a perfect Cougar, and Rachel Nichols (The Woods, Charlie Wilson's War).
I do not say that for the sports angle, because that just framed the real story here. I wish I could repeat the story that writer Erik Kernan Jr. (Josh Hartnett) did at the end because it said it all. Fathers sometimes lie to their sons because they want them to think they are the king of the world, even when they are not. It's human nature. The problem is, that sometimes you get caught as Kernan did, and as the Champ (Samuel L. Jackson) did.
This was a beautiful story about that relationship between fathers and sons and it was also a great story about being a man.
It had some great performances besides the two mentioned: Kathryn Morris ("Cold Case") as Erik's wife and co-worker, Alan Alda as his boss, Teri Hatcher as a perfect Cougar, and Rachel Nichols (The Woods, Charlie Wilson's War).
- lastliberal
- Oct 4, 2008
- Permalink
The Champ...
"Resurrecting the Champ" is a Drama - Sport movie in which we watch a sports reporter finds and helps a homeless man by the name of 'Champ' only to find out that he is a boxing legend. The reporter understands that it's a great opportunity for him to become a great reporter and overcome his father's legacy by writing an article for the legend of boxing.
I liked this movie because it had a simple, beautiful and very interesting plot combined very well with a great direction by Rod Lurie. The interpretations of both Samuel L. Jackson who played as Champ and Josh Hartnett who played as Erik Kernan Jr. were simply amazing. Another interpretation that has to be mentioned was Kathryn Morris' who played as Joyce Kernan and gave a different touch in the movie. Finally, I have to say that "Resurrecting the Champ" is a nice movie and I recommend you to watch it because even if you are not a fan of boxing I am sure that you will love it.
I liked this movie because it had a simple, beautiful and very interesting plot combined very well with a great direction by Rod Lurie. The interpretations of both Samuel L. Jackson who played as Champ and Josh Hartnett who played as Erik Kernan Jr. were simply amazing. Another interpretation that has to be mentioned was Kathryn Morris' who played as Joyce Kernan and gave a different touch in the movie. Finally, I have to say that "Resurrecting the Champ" is a nice movie and I recommend you to watch it because even if you are not a fan of boxing I am sure that you will love it.
- Thanos_Alfie
- Jul 20, 2020
- Permalink
Overlooked Journalism Film
Fathers and Sons
I was lucky to preview this movie a few months back and needed some time to digest it. For those of you use to films by Rod Lurie, this movie will take you by surprise; in a very good way. I much enjoy Rod's films, and I did this one as well, but not for the reasons that I normally do. I have grown accustomed to his sharp whit and snappy screenplays as well as the fluidity of the cinematography. Resurrecting the Champ delivers all that, but in so many ways it was better than the Lurie movies I have learned to love. I think it is because Rod puts his heart into this film.
In the technical sense, the film is well directed and edited. The cast is spectacular with solid performances by all; including Alan Alda and Samuel L. Jackson. The characters are very believable and no one actor overshadows another. The film has balance. The movie is well paced and does not confuse the viewer. But what really makes this film excel is that Lurie leaves his comfort zone of the political thriller and really directs a movie that touches all viewers. This was a great risk for Rod, but it paid off because it resulted in a movie that will no doubt become the part of many film libraries.
While this move is set around a newspaper and boxing, this is really a movie about fathers and sons. It embraces the understanding that we are not all perfect and that it is OK not to be. It dwells at the dilemma of what fathers must do when their children find out that they have flaws, and the pressure sons have to live up to the heroics of their fathers. This is the kind of film that you will go and see and then talk about for hours afterwards. I have to wonder if Mr. Lurie is giving both his father and his son a gift with this film. I cannot wait for it to come out in the theaters so that I can take my sons to see it. Well done Rod!!
In the technical sense, the film is well directed and edited. The cast is spectacular with solid performances by all; including Alan Alda and Samuel L. Jackson. The characters are very believable and no one actor overshadows another. The film has balance. The movie is well paced and does not confuse the viewer. But what really makes this film excel is that Lurie leaves his comfort zone of the political thriller and really directs a movie that touches all viewers. This was a great risk for Rod, but it paid off because it resulted in a movie that will no doubt become the part of many film libraries.
While this move is set around a newspaper and boxing, this is really a movie about fathers and sons. It embraces the understanding that we are not all perfect and that it is OK not to be. It dwells at the dilemma of what fathers must do when their children find out that they have flaws, and the pressure sons have to live up to the heroics of their fathers. This is the kind of film that you will go and see and then talk about for hours afterwards. I have to wonder if Mr. Lurie is giving both his father and his son a gift with this film. I cannot wait for it to come out in the theaters so that I can take my sons to see it. Well done Rod!!
- ncoddington
- Jun 26, 2007
- Permalink
Resurrecting Josh Hartnett's career...
- natashabowiepinky
- May 21, 2014
- Permalink
Resurrecting the Champ is amazing!!!!!!!
- playerpiano27
- Jan 20, 2007
- Permalink
Great performances
But just not that good a movie overall. Not a bad movie either by a long shot, but if you consider the acting on show here, you would expect a somewhat better movie. Samuell L. Jackson especially is very good. Josh Hartnett does his best and the supporting cast is phenomenal (Alan Alda always delivers just to name one of the supporting actors). But unfortunately it takes quite a few missteps by walking a thin line. While the performances overall are subtle and genuine, sometimes they go completely OTT (Teri Hatcher especially has to deliver one dialog, where you feel sorry for her, while all the subtleness goes out the window).
Depending on how much you weight you put on acting, story and other things, you will like it more or less than I did. The point is, that this is a really good companion piece to "The Solist". So watch the Robert Downey Jr. picture too while you're at it.
Depending on how much you weight you put on acting, story and other things, you will like it more or less than I did. The point is, that this is a really good companion piece to "The Solist". So watch the Robert Downey Jr. picture too while you're at it.
nowhere near as good as the ratings and comments