Image courtesy of impawards.com
Director:
Rod Lurie
Cast:
Samuel L. Jackson………Champ
Josh Hartnett………Erik
Kathryn Morris………Joyce
Dakota Goyo………Teddy
Alan Alda………Metz
Rachel Nichols………Polly
Teri Hatcher………Andrea Flak
Kristen Shaw………Perlmutter
Nick Sandow………Marciano
David Paymer………Whitley
Harry J. Lennix………Satterfield Jr.
Peter Coyote………Epstein
Ryan McDonald………Kenny
Viewers might be surprised by the way things unfold in Resurrecting the Champ, but by the time it becomes apparent what type of film it is it will be too late. To use a crusty boxing metaphor used in the film, Resurrecting the Champ watches for the audience’s weakness and then catches them with their guard down. Sadly, there is not enough weight behind the punch and the movie only staggers the viewer when it maybe should have knocked him out.
Blame it on Josh Harnett who has always been a perfectly acceptable actor without churning out anything spectacular. It doesn’t help that his career is full of more missteps than a palooka with his shoes tied together. Meanwhile, Hartnett’s co-star, Samuel L. Jackson has stumbled so far down the ladder of credibility that it is almost shocking to be reminded that he actually has incredible acting chops. Jackson may be trying to get back on Oscar’s radar, but the film is too lightweight to be a true contender.
Not surprisingly, Resurrecting the Champ tries too hard and overreaches its ability to connect with its subject matter and audience. The plot is oversaturated with the type of clichés one would expect; Champ (Jackson) is a down on his luck former boxing great whose tale is unique enough to be inspirational. In a beautiful contradiction, the same editor (David Paymer) that says an article about John Elway’s retirement would be depressing gets all hot and bothered over a potential story about a homeless former-boxer. Apparently Erik (Hartnett) has a gift for storytelling which, it should be noted, is proven many times over to be somewhat untrue.
Erik is, however, exceptional at lying and decent at persuasion, so his writing skills are of little consequence. Irony (a concept Resurrecting the Champ holds in high esteem) rears its head when it is “shockingly” revealed that the champ is not who he says he is. Champ’s deceit-based relationship with Erik inspires Erik to look at his relationships with his son and father. Ironically, the movie reveals itself as a liar as well because instead of subjecting the audience to a typical sports film, it transforms into a meditation on honesty and fatherhood. It would be more heartbreaking, and thus more profound, if it had not been obvious that the twist was coming from the onset.
Predictability aside, Resurrecting the Champ gives a solid effort in offering a compelling spin on the color-by-numbers “based on a true story” genre. With better talent involved in front of and behind the camera, it might have been something special. But as it stands, Resurrecting the Champ is every bit as forgettable as whatever the last movie like it was called. Audiences deserve their preachiness to come with more flavor. Without true heart and conviction the movie feels hollow. Yet with everything so average and plain, it would be unfair to completely dismiss Resurrecting the Champ. Call it a judge’s decision after 10 rounds.
