Review of Resurrecting the Champ (2007) by Kenny B — 10 Nov 2008

Eric Kernan (Hartnett) needs to find a break. Something that will put him over the top. He is a boxing reporter, and he cannot find a story to save his life. Until one fateful night after leaving a match he stumbles upon a group of men beating up this older man. He intervenes and that may be the break he needs. After the fight breaks up Eric stays behind to talk to the older man, and upon asking him questions he learns that he is a offer boxer named Bob Satterfield. Bob (Jackson) who now goes by Champ is happy to have a new friend. After a few days he agrees to go along with the story, he agrees to answer the questions that Eric will ask. Eric publishes the story and seems to be hit, until people starting calling him up saying the facts he reported were wrong. Eric tries to smooth things over, but it may be to late.

Sam Jackson plays Champ, it first appears to be really odd role for him. But right away it is evident that he will nail it in. He looks older and run down, it does not even sound like classic Sam Jackson. This is one of the better performances that he has done in a long while. Champ had some issues to work out, like most people , but he was friendly the story he told was one worth listening to. He was the athlete most kids dream to be. Jackson nails it, it was straight from the heart, it was gut wrenching to hear him talk in this film, to tell the stories that he told. Everyone dreams of greatness, but no one person dreams of falling from greatness. Sam with what to me could be his career best. It is not a film for everyone,and that is what makes it better. Sam is a great actor, and he will continue to pick more roles where his versatility is challenged.

Josh Hartnett has never done a really great film. He is either hit or miss. He never gets into his performance, he seems to think it comes naturally. This time around it was different, he really got into it, dug deep and went straight for the emotions that would hurt, that would sting the audience. He delivers what will remain his best performance of his career. The only real shame is that for him it is not a really popular movie. Josh may have a few more bright spots in the future and may end up being a mediocre actor when all is said and done. But this will be the film that made him, this will be the film that is known as his best.

This film had a lot of different themes to explore. From fame, to love, to regret. This film takes apart emotions every human being has felt at one time. Everyone person has dreamed of being famous. Every person has loved and hopefully will be loved in return, and everyone has felt regret. But with those feelings comes the opposite of each. The opposite of fame is lonliness, the opposite of love is hate and the opposite of regret is content. Each and every person will fall from the top, no matter how good they are. The whole issue that this film explored is that there is always a story to be told. As much as we want to hear the positive side to all stories, there are negative stories that need to be told. We all want to tell stories of fame and fortune but with those stories come the ones of struggle and survival. This movie was deep with emotions and really well done.

Sam Jackson is spectacular and even Josh Hartnett gives a heart warming, emotional and deeply moving performance. Both actors deliver and each seen they are together is masterful and well done. Never once to these two disappoint when working a scene together. Hartnett finds a level in which he has never reached before and for Jackson this is just another top notch performance. Jackson embodies a former champ who has lost it all. Top Notch, a must see.