The Hammer

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The Hammer

R

2008

1h 33m

Comedy

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

39 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

On his 40th birthday, chronic underachiever Jerry Ferro (Adam Carolla) loses his carpentry job and his girlfriend. However, all is not lost; a famous boxing coach (Tom Quinn) spies him sparring at the local gym and offers him the chance to train for a spot on the U.S. Olympic boxing team.

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Critics Consensus

The Hammer perseveres as both an above-average sports comedy and a perfect starring vehicle for Carolla.

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Nathan Rabin

AV Club

Much of the film's charm comes from its scruffy, self-effacing modesty; it's a relaxed, affable underdog about a relaxed, affable underdog.

Rated: B+

Oct 5, 2011

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Christy Lemire

Associated Press

Yes, this comedy about a sad-sack, has-been boxer is painfully predictable and manages to include every cliche of the genre, but executive producer and star Adam Carolla keeps it rolling along with his trademark, deadpan rants.

Oct 5, 2011

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Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

I think it's a terrific little film.

Mar 24, 2008

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Forrest Hartman

Reno Gazette-Journal

The Hammer could have become a typically sappy sports flick, but [Adam Carolla] filled it with enough of his trademark humor to keep things fresh even with plotting that isn't groundbreaking."

Rated: 3/4

Jun 6, 2013

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Kevin Carr

7M Pictures

For anyone in their late 30s and early 40s who has seen a great deal of their lives pass them by, this can be very relateable.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 3, 2013

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Kristian Harloff

Schmoes Know

One of the films that should not fly under the radar of sports comedy fans, "The Hammer" is a surprising good time at the movies.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 2, 2013

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Virgil N

This might be the best movie of the last 100 years, great pro family message along with awesome comedy. Oswaldo delivered and amazing performance. (Rip)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/07/25

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Seth K

I had never heard of this movie and thought I'd give it a spin, being an Adam Carolla fan - and I absolutely loved it. He's one of the funniest people around and I was taken by the story. I particularly liked the ending, which I found heartwarming and satisfying. Big thumbs up - wish there were more Carolla movies!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/25

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Matt V

Great movie! Carolla kills it! Well worth the watch👍🏻👍🏻

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/27/24

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rosadobber a

Stilted, uneven, begs to be a mediocre series. Only a few redeeming scenes.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/24/24

Full Review

007tribefan B

Saw it (finally) on YouTube. Great story, with witty insults: "eye of the asshole" was one of the best. Anyway, glad I got to view this

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/23/24

Full Review

Cork B

Absolutely blew away my expectations! Yeah, the plot is ridiculous, but Carolla does the underdog schlub so well it doesn't even matter. The film retreads so many sports movie tropes, but uses them as background for the 'underdog does good' theme. Carolla is snarky and sarcastic, but always self deprecating and never mean spirited. The movie is funny, well meaning, and thoroughly entertaining. I loved the soundtrack as well, although the songs are poorly worked into the scenes.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/15/23

Full Review

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Charles Herman-Wurmfeld

Director

Adam Carolla

Jerry Ferro

Heather Juergensen

Lindsay

Oswaldo Castillo

Ozzie

Tom Quinn

Eddie Bell

Jonathan Hernandez

Victor Padilla

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Synopsis

On his 40th birthday, chronic underachiever Jerry Ferro (Adam Carolla) loses his carpentry job and his girlfriend. However, all is not lost; a famous boxing coach (Tom Quinn) spies him sparring at the local gym and offers him the chance to train for a spot on the U.S. Olympic boxing team.

Director: Charles Herman-Wurmfeld
Producer: Eden Wurmfeld, Heather Juergensen, Eric Ganz
Screenwriter: Kevin Hench
Distributor: International Film Circuit [us]
Production Co: Eden Wurmfeld Films, Bentley Film Group
Rating: R (Brief Language)
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 21, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $442.6K
Runtime: 1h 33m

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