Review of Gentleman Jim (1942) by Waldo I — 13 Jan 2009

In most underdog stories, nobody wants the kid to succeed, but with indomitable determination and an exercise montage, he makes it to the top anyway. In Gentleman Jim, you almost take the other side. The film admits that Flynn is an arrogant jackass, and even those initially impressed by his talent wind up desperate to see him lose just so he'll get some of that smug pride knocked out of him.

Still, he keeps backing up all his talk, which makes it as frustrating as it is fun to watch.