The Bleeder

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1:29

Poster for

The Bleeder

R

Released May 5, 2017

1h 41m

Biography

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

82 Reviews

63%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

He was the pride of Bayonne, N.J., a man who went 15 rounds in the ring with Muhammad Ali. But before all of that, Chuck Wepner was a liquor salesman and father with a modest prizefighting career whose life changed overnight when, in 1975, he was chosen to take on Ali in a highly publicized title match. It's the beginning of a wild ride through the exhilarating highs and humbling lows of sudden fame, but what happens when your 15 minutes in the spotlight are up?

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Critics Consensus

Chuck is hit with a handful of sports biopic clichés but ultimately punches above its weight, largely thanks to a muscular performance from Liev Schreiber.

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Barry Hertz

Globe and Mail

It may not go the distance, but it's surely worth a step into the ring.

Rated: 3/4

May 19, 2017

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Bruce DeMara

Toronto Star

Liev Schreiber is top-notch in the lead role in this funny, sad and warm cautionary tale.

Rated: 3/4

May 18, 2017

Full Review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

The film tells an achingly true story about chasing dreams and letting them slip through your hands, as well as the gravitational forces that cause one's life to seek its own level.

Rated: 3.5/5

May 18, 2017

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

[A] bruising biopic...

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 13, 2021

Full Review

Sarah Brinks

Battleship Pretension

Chuck is a solid addition to the boxing movie subgenre. It, of course, borrows some imagery and tropes from previous films but it tells a complete and compelling story...

Dec 15, 2020

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Leigh Monson

Substream Magazine

Chuck exists on the other side of a coin, showing the dark reality of Rocky's idealized fantasy. That alone is enough reason to pay attention to the tragedy of Chuck Wegner.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 24, 2020

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Noneya B

This guy is a mess and I dislike everything about him, which tells me it's a decent film. Worth a watch to anyone interested in the guy Rocky is based off of.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/02/24

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danny h

A boxing movie that isn't about the boxing itself. And it's good true story and some great acting.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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r b

This is a really well told and interesting biopic on the life of Chuck Wepner ("the real life Rocky"). It held my interest from start to finish. Released in the U.S. as simply titled "Chuck."

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

La vera storia di Chuck Wepner vive di alti e bassi cosi come il film. Il famoso incontro contro Alì sfugge via senza grandi sussulti, così come la vita del pugile prende una piega malinconica già vista troppo spesso, specialmente tra i grandi sportivi del passato in ambito pugilistico. Comunque il racconto è piacevole e non si cercano esagerazioni utili solo a renderlo più hollywoodiano.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I thought it was an interesting movie and story about the life of Chuck Wepner, the real Rocky Balboa. It was hard not to continually feel sorry for him as he was surrounded by people who loved him, including his own family members, and he couldn't see it as he continually blew that part of his life along with movie parts for Rocky.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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Audience Member

An enjoyable watch and an interesting true story. Anyone who loved Rocky should watch this to know more about the Check Webner.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Philippe Falardeau

Director

Liev Schreiber

Chuck Wepner

Elisabeth Moss

Phyliss

Naomi Watts

Linda

Ron Perlman

Al Braverman

Jim Gaffigan

John

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Chuck: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

He was the pride of Bayonne, N.J., a man who went 15 rounds in the ring with Muhammad Ali. But before all of that, Chuck Wepner was a liquor salesman and father with a modest prizefighting career whose life changed overnight when, in 1975, he was chosen to take on Ali in a highly publicized title match. It's the beginning of a wild ride through the exhilarating highs and humbling lows of sudden fame, but what happens when your 15 minutes in the spotlight are up?

Director: Philippe Falardeau
Producer: Liev Schreiber, Michael Tollin, Carl Hampe, Christa Campbell, Lati Grobman
Screenwriter: Jeff Feuerzeig, Jerry Stahl, Michael Cristofer, Liev Schreiber
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Campbell Grobman Films, Jeff Rice Films, Mandalay Sports Media
Rating: R (Language Throughout|Drug Use|Sexuality/Nudity|Some Bloody Images)
Genre: Biography, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 5, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $320.7K
Runtime: 1h 41m

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