Resurrecting the Champ (2007)

Overall rating from 1 to 100: 86

O Masterpiece (100)
X Excellent (75-99)
O Rental (60-74)
O OK (50-59)
O Mediocrity (30-49)
O Avoid (1-29)

Mini Review by Jason Pyles / November 10, 2007

Sometimes movies that were “inspired by a true story,” such as “Catch a Fire” (2006), tell a story that’s not really worth telling. Other films like “Resurrecting the Champ” have a narrative worthy of our attention.

Unfortunately, “Resurrecting the Champ” is going to go down as one of those underrated, underappreciated, unknown films, ironically enough. But trust me: You should check out this movie.

As cryptic as this may sound, “Resurrecting the Champ” is about being what you wanted to be, regardless of not getting to be what you wanted to be. I know, maddening. But that is the greatness that is the concept of this movie. “Resurrecting the Champ” will also be of interest to sports fans, journalists, fathers and sons.

Erik Kernan (Josh Hartnett) is a sports writer who is struggling to live up to the journalistic greatness of his father. But when he discovers a former boxing champion (Samuel L. Jackson) who is now a homeless person, the young writer has the boxer’s incredible story to tell.

And that’s all I can tell you. The less you know about the film, the better. But be prepared for Samuel L. Jackson’s character’s voice: You’ll either love it, or you’ll hate it; but either way, you should appreciate his ability to maintain such a high pitch.

Directed by Rod Lurie
Samuel L. Jackson / Josh Hartnett / Alan Alda
111 min. Drama
MPPA: PG-13 (for some violence and brief language)

Copyright 2007. 185