Resurrecting the Champ (2007)

Such a frustrating disappointment

Memorable, crazy movie

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

The journalist in question is a sports reporter (Josh Hartnett) who's been ground down by overwork and is about to be fired for the lack of flair in his writing when he stumbles upon an ex-boxing-contender (Samuel L. Jackson) who's now punchy and homeless. When he writes the story up for the paper's Sunday magazine, it's a sensation, ESPN comes knocking at his door and he's otherwise swimming in glory until a discrepancy appears in the old pug's story and the situation explodes in his face. As all this unfolds, director Rod Lurie laces the action with subplots and themes -- the inhumanity of boxing, the difficult relationship between fathers and sons (the reporter's father was a famous sportscaster) and more. Somehow, the movie just can't support all these competing themes. It never quite emerges as a morality tale (largely because it's never quite clear what the reporter did that was so terrible).

The Film follows a promising young reporter, Erik Kernan Jr. (Hartnett) desperate to make a name for himself and break from out of his successful father's shadow. The story that could do just that was right round the corner. 'Champ' (Jackson), a local homeless man, who is boxing legend, 'battling Bob Satterfield', a man previously believed dead. The writing of the film is complemented justly by the quality of the acting, which is true quality. What really helps this film along is how it wasn't churned up in the Hollywood machine, it was kept as true to the story as possible. The film captures the emotions and reality of the bonds between family and friendship both good and bad, truth and lies and the repercussions that they make. This is definitely an uplifting film that is worth a watch one evening and will leave you smiling in your sleep.

This film portrayed the media world extremely accurately, largely due to the fact that it was based on a true story. The way they explain how the internet has an effect on jobs and styles of writing in journalism, along with how important it is to be thorough in background checks as well as in the writing itself. This film sends a good father-son message out there with Erik (the journalist), his son, and the Champ. Both Erik and the Champ try to be the best in what they do so their respective sons will be proud of them. In the end this turns catastrophic because Erik does not do enough searching for facts and does too much trusting in a man he knows nothing about. Both men regret their actions and try to make mends with everyone they have hurt. This film has a great story with an even better message of the media world.

Resurrecting the Champ. A tale about men; drained of valor. The true story behind this movie is so admirable I wish I was the one who wrote the play. "It may all be a lie, but the movie is about true friendship, and the true bond between father and son." Whether you've had a good relationship with your father/son or bad, this movie will most likely bring tears to your eyes.I have always thought Josh Hartnett ("Erik Kernan") is a great actor, and I have always thought Samuel L. Jackson ("Champ") is a great actor. But I honestly can't tell if Samuel L. Jackson is playing his role remarkably good, or if Josh Hartnett is the one to make Samuel L. Jackson' role look good. Maybe they are, in fact, a perfect match for television.