Resurrecting the Champ
Based on a true story, that was based on a lie.
Sportswriter Erik Kernan (Hartnett) wants nothing more than to discover a story great enough to make headlines. So when he meets Champ (Jackson), a former boxing champion living on the streets, he knows he has a shot to save them both. Recording his newfound friend's unbelievable tale of triumph and defeat, Kernan gets his story and his fame. But as Champ's tale falls under more scrutinizing eyes, Kernan will have to learn that what truly makes a story great is the quality of the man behind it.
Member Reviews
. - noname2009
At the first 15 or 20 minutes of this movie, I thought it is going to be a lot more like the other movie "Soloist" I just recently watched. It proved I was wrong. I think it has deeper meanings than the other one. How do you tell if it is a lie or the truth, what decision one must make when facing the truth?Resurrecting a character - InaMirrorDimly
A newspaper reporter whose career is in a tailspin has an accidental run-in with a street person ex-professional boxer played convincingly by Samuel Jackson. Seeing an opportunity to redeem his professional reputation, our reporter writes his big story. And its an instant hit.
But the fame and glory that follows is somewhat empty and shortlived. His main character flaw is that he has always been more invested in his reputation than in his integrity. And we cringe as he continues to deceive the one he loves the most . . . and himself in the process.
Eventually, it all catches up to him. As his career threatens to crash and burn, his redemption comes through his own six year old son, who still believes in him even after he finds out that his father is not the hero he was led to believe . . . and is forced by his father's shortcomings to face the ruin of his own reputation among his peers. Contrary to the other review here, the resolution to this story is most satisfying. Our reporter, in a difficult act of humility, opts for truth over reputation. In the process, he resurrects his character as well as the relationships that have been damaged along the way. This kind of victory is far more satisfying than any career advancement . . . and the ending is left open-ended in this regard, as it should be.I AM BEING EXTREMELY UNFAIR... - Ricardo
because I'm giving this movie less than 4 stars only because I did not like the ending. Of course, since it's based on a true story, they couldn't really change the ending, so I have to live with it and wonder at how much of a "happy/unreal ending" feeder I've become after all those Hollywood meals.
Having said that, the movie is absolutely excellent. The acting is superb, and I would not be surprised in Jackson got a nomination for an Oscar for his role. He was completely believable and the whole movie holds your attention like a good book that won't let you put it down.
I definitely recommend this movie
Member Reviews
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. - noname2009
At the first 15 or 20 minutes of this movie, I thought it is going to be a lot more like the other movie "Soloist" I just recently watched. It proved I was wrong. I think it has deeper meanings than the other one. How do you tell if it is a lie or the truth, ...Resurrecting a character - InaMirrorDimly
A newspaper reporter whose career is in a tailspin has an accidental run-in with a street person ex-professional boxer played convincingly by Samuel Jackson. Seeing an opportunity to redeem his professional reputation, our reporter writes his big story. And ...I AM BEING EXTREMELY UNFAIR... - Ricardo
because I'm giving this movie less than 4 stars only because I did not like the ending. Of course, since it's based on a true story, they couldn't really change the ending, so I have to live with it and wonder at how much of a "happy/unreal ending" feeder ...