Resurrecting the Champ

2007 "Based on a true story, that was based on a lie."
6.7| 1h52m| PG-13| en| More Info
Released: 14 June 2007 Released
Producted By: Battleplan Productions
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

Up-and-coming sports reporter rescues a homeless man ("Champ") only to discover that he is, in fact, a boxing legend believed to have passed away. What begins as an opportunity to resurrect Champ's story and escape the shadow of his father's success becomes a personal journey as the ambitious reporter reexamines his own life and his relationship with his family.

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Reviews

KnotMissPriceless Why so much hype?
Ameriatch One of the best films i have seen
Dorathen Better Late Then Never
Ortiz Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.
SnoopyStyle Young sports writer Erik Kernan Jr. (Josh Hartnett) for the Denver Times finds homeless Champ (Samuel L. Jackson) after he's beaten by some kids. He claims to be Bob Satterfield, a former heavyweight contender. His boss Ralph Metz (Alan Alda) isn't happy with his bland writing. He's separated with fellow writer Joyce Kernan (Kathryn Morris). He interviews secretly with magazine editor Whitley and in desperation, comes up with a pitch to write about Satterfield.Josh Hartnett is living off of his good looks and it's very douchy. Luckily for him, it fits his character quite well. Jackson is compelling as the down and out fighter. His ragged voice is great. The twist takes the movie from a sappy feel-good story into someplace a little bit deeper.
Rich Wright I don't care how much make-up and rags you put on Samuel L Jackson, or that he changes his voice to sound like the cracked tones of an alcoholic: He does not look like a 70-something drunkard, homeless boxer. Especially seeing how mobile he still is, and the fact he can trounce guys much younger than him in a fistfight. Trying to convince us that he is, is almost as big a lie as the one perpetuated by his character which forms the central dilemma here. Wanna know more? Well, read on.Josh Hartnett plays a sports reporter on the rise. He eventually finds his career in jeopardy when he puts all his chips on the table in a big story about washed-out Jackson being a former pro pugilist. Only problem is, it's all a big fib. Samuel's been telling porkie-pies... He was a boxer, true... but a MUCH less successful one. With a different name. And now Hartnett has to carry the can for it. In an amazing example of irony, in real life Josh used to be an A-list actor... until he starred in a series of flops which plummeted him down the casting director's list. Life imitating art, eh? Of course, this being a Hollywood film, everything turns up roses in the end: Hartnett writes a 'very moving' (read: cheesy) correction article, he reconciles with his wife, his son believes in him again, he lands his dream job, he has another baby yada, yada, yada. Alas, the REAL Josh Hartnett is still struggling to even get guest spots in TV shows. Why can't life be more like the movies?! And obviously Jackson must die for the 'emotional impact' from the closing funeral speech. What a way to go though... having a heart attack after defending yourself from the onslaught of some spotty little nerk. Give the man some dignity, Dagnabbit.Despite all the predictability and manipulation, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. The way the plot sucks you into the lives of these people and gets us interested in their struggles is first rate, and the arguments raised here about truth, honesty and ethics are weighty ones indeed. Jackson and Hartnett's scenes together are a joy to behold... so what was all the moaning about, you may ask? I dunno... maybe I need to blow off some steam. Next time, I'll just kick a pigeon instead of letting it spill over into my text. Now, where did I put that bird seed... 7/10
trupti-gupta29 This is one of those films, that have a lot to offer but are lost somewhere under the overpowering dazzle of films with breath-taking special effects and cutting-edge action. 'Resurrecting the Champ' is a film that stands there silently, waiting for someone to notice.Leaving all the facts aside, I saw the film, only as a film. I did not watch it to weigh the truth of the story. I watched it to watch a film and ended up watching a film that was worth every minute of my time and attention.Its great story and remarkable acting in all pack a fantastic 'punch'. The story twists in the most unimaginable way. At first you disagree with this 'twist', then, like the protagonist, you are left with no choice but to agree with what's being played out in front of you. You, stand alongside the protagonist to accept the faults and make a change that's here to stay.
TxMike Josh Hartnett is Erik Kernan, a sports writer for a newspaper but isn't in great favor as the movie begins. Seems his writing lacks character. Erik looks for a way to get something better, and perhaps jump to a bigger writing stage.One day while out and about he comes upon a group of young thugs beating up on an old man. Rushing to see what was happening, the young thugs go off and Erik finds Samuel L. Jackson as Champ. This old man claimed to be a rather well-known former contender that had been #3 in the world, but then faded into oblivion.Erik sees Champ as his meal ticket to a better writing career, and though a few hand-outs of money and food gets Champ to cooperate. Erik gets his big story and everyone is congratulating him. But then some start to doubt. "I thought he died 20 years ago." Was this fabulous story real, or was Erik duped? It is a good movie, and the character Samuel Jackson creates is just great, in an Oscar-caliber performance. Harnett holds his own.