Resurrecting the Champ

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Josh Hartnett, Kathryn Morris, Alan Alda, Rachel Nichols, Teri Hatcher, Harry Lenix
Directed by: Rod Lurie
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama, Sport
2007

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A journalist (Josh Hartnett) meets a homeless man (Samuel L. Jackson) who reveals himself to be a former boxing champion. He is determined to write the story, so determined in fact, that he overlooks some facts to which he should have been paying attention.

Review:

Tim: Resurrecting the Champ works as a movie because it is so focused on telling a good story. That is the reason I liked this movie and the reason I paid attention- because the based-on-a-true story is so interesting and engaging. The best feature of this film is that it got out of its own way, letting the story itself do the talking.

I was very interesting in this movie because I love the idea- a down-on-his-luck journalist who stumbles across the story of a lifetime- a washed up, former boxing champion who is living as a homeless man on the streets of Denver. This in itself is a fascinating story, but there are some interesting twists and surprises which keep us entralled in the movie. The film tells its story in a straightforward, focused way. It never strays too far or loses it focus.

The cast is good as well. Josh Hartnett's role seems easy, but it took a great deal of effort to pull it off. He makes it look easy. I enjoyed him in this role. I was less sure how I was going to feel about Samuel L. Jackson. He has a tendency to overact now and then. I was surprised to find that he did a generally good job. He has a chance to play a different, unique character and he certainly adds his own mark to the character. What surprised me was that I bought his performance completely. I like the scenes between Hartnett and Jackson. These two men work well together. The supporting cast is good, too, specifically Kathryn Morris and Alan Alda. I also have to mention the strong but small role of Teri Hatcher. I thought she did a standup job.

I also liked that this movie was not just an interesting story, but it was about something. As much as this movie is about a journalist and a former boxer, it is also about fathers and son, about owning up to our failures, about being honest with our loved ones- about our strengths as well as our flaws. This movie is about seeking redemption, becoming who we set out to be, and asking for forgiveness. It is impressive that this movie covers all those topics.

All this being said, the movie is good, but it could have been better. While the film keeps us interested throughout, I never felt enthralled by the movie. I was intrigued, but not emotionally invested. Parts of the movie- although good, could have been great. The movie feels like it sets out to be good- a welcome relief from many of those big blockbusters, but it never strives for true greatness. It feels too similar to all those other story and character fueled dramas out there.

As a whole, however, I have to say I enjoyed Resurrecting the Champ. Its flaws are easily overlooked, and the story is just so compelling that it will keep you pay attention. I liked this movie.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



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