Against the Ropes (2004)

Simply Perfect

Good concept, poorly executed.

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Said to be based on a true story, 'Against the Ropes' is not as effective as other movies of this genre. The story does not grip and even as a character study it fails. The screenplay is quite poor (and predictable), the characters are half-baked, the dialogues are dull and it has nothing new to offer. Cheryl Edwards expects to understand what's going on but we are always questioning what the motivation of the characters were.Meg Ryan looks very hot and she does the best she could with an ill-written character. Omar Epps is okay (he two suffers from a badly written role). The relationship between the two characters is one of the most important elements of the plot (or should have been). Yet, this is hardly developed. One moment we see Epps character hugging Ryan and the next we see him call her a bitch and wanting to quit. It would have been a far better movie had this point been improved.The plot is obviously very predictable and we know how it will end. There are so many plot holes and there is just too much missing from this film. Maybe there was pressure to make this film within the time limit and the director decided to leave out some parts, probably substantial parts. On a positive note, the last boxing scene was well shot.'Against the Ropes' felt very incomplete and it's a waste for the cast and crew who are otherwise known for their good work. For some reason I tried to enjoy the film...but did not succeed. It isn't the worst movie around and I think it's okay for a one-time watch.

Meg Ryan pulls a great performance as the underdog of this movie. Playing a real person is never easy and being a woman in boxing holds as much discrimination on its own without adding that she works it with sex appeal. You can't hate a story when it comes from true events and both Shaloub and Ryan pull off their characters with finesse. Don't hate her because she's not in her much loved romantic comedy persona; love that she pulled off the Midwestern girl honoring her father's memory and her uncles love with dedicating her life to boxing. Comparing Omar Epps to Tom Hanks is so inappropriate in this film. There is never meant to be a love connection between Epps and Ryan. It's more of a mothering relationship; the son she never had and the mothering he never received. You are either going to love or hate this movie. Be assured you'll watch it till' the end and will have an opinion one way or the other.

This is one of the few great boxing movies out there. The fighting actually looks as if it could be in a real ring as apposed to many of those other fight flix out there. Meg Ryan is still absolutely gorgeous at her age and pulls of the role wonderfully. This is a movie that you will be able to watch several times and still get some enjoyment out of it. I love the fact that although this could be considered a "girl-power" type of movie that it appeals to the male crowd and does not come across as man-bashing. I had to purchase this movie as soon as it came out because it got me pumped to go out and try for anything. This movie has slight humorous undertones, however, in my opinion it will appeal much more to a crowd that is seeking a drama. A must see!

Against the Ropes is very loosely based on the life of Jackie Cullen, boxing's most successful female promoter ever.Meg Ryan is Jackie, who's struggling as PA to a boxing venue owner, despite her family connections and knowledge of the sport. When she gains a dud boxer after a wager, Jackie encounters the talented Luther (Omar Epps) and enlists retired trainer Felix (Charles S Dutton, who also directed) to get Luther match-ready.Although Meg Ryan does well enough with Cheryl Edwards' hackneyed script, the real Jackie Cullen seems to be a far more interesting character. Not enough attention is paid to developing the other characters either, though Jackie and her protégé Owen build a good rapport. There's also a gaping plot inconsistency: why would Jackie go back to temping in administration when she owns her own boxing studio? However, the fight scenes are well choreographed and the highlight of the film. **/*****