Resurrecting The Champ

Resurrecting The Champ

     Have you ever noticed how easy it is to tell the tiniest white lie? It won’t hurt anyone, right? Well, this drama, written and directed by Rod Lurie explores the damage and possible harm in glossing over the truth. He reaches into the very place we all are supposed to feel safe and secure. Our family!

     Resurrecting The Champ is the type of picture that should appeal to movie-goers of all ages. The film begins with Battling Bob Satterfield (Samuel L. Jackson) fighting with a group of young men that went looking to have a little fun at the expense of our “Champ”. Erik Kernan (Josh Hartnett) just happens by the fracas as the hoodlums are leaving the scene. Erik, a so-so sports writer for The Denver Times, develops a friendship with the down-and-out Satterfield.

     The friendship turns into an opportunity for Kernan when he realizes that Satterfield is a former professional boxer that everyone had presumed to be dead. The story about his new-found comrade could rocket him to the top of his profession, and even more importantly capture the adoration of his young son. Throughout the film, we learn that Kernan had fabricated some specific stories that he shared with his son. No big deal, right? Well, the answer comes in a heartbreaking visit to his son’s school during career day.

     The issue at hand also deals with a relationship between a father and his son. Lurie has done a satisfactory job of character alignment within this story line. However, I believe he could have given this part of the plot a little more meat. He took time to develop several story lines about fathers and their sons, but seemed to rush the presentation of each specific example. There are several references to “father and son” relationships throughout the movie, but something just seemed to be missing for me.

     Overall, I enjoyed the movie even though I thought the beginning was a little slow and the ending left me wondering just a bit. Samuel L. Jackson was superb and perhaps even masterful in his portrayal of Champ. He carried this film almost single handedly. The other bright spot is undoubtedly Hartnett’s on-screen son (Dakota Goyo) who stole the show with a believable and adorable performance. Unfortunately, Hartnett didn’t impress, with the exception of a couple touching moments with his son. Lurie churned out a good movie, but I think he could have developed the characters and their relationships a little more, which would have made this film great.

     It earns a three on the Matt Meter. If you haven’t seen this movie, I would suggest it as a rental. If you are not a big boxing fan, not to worry, the movie revolves around the theme and doesn’t spend too much time getting involved with the actual sport. I liked this movie but wasn’t blown away by it and that’s the TRUTH.

That’s How Matt Sees It!