Resurrecting the Champ

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Resurrecting the Champ

PG-13

Released Aug 24, 2007

1h 52m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

115 Reviews

60%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Things are not going well for Erik Kernan (Josh Hartnett). Erik, a sports reporter, is stuck covering the bush leagues because his editor (Alan Alda) thinks he cannot cut it as writer. On top of that, his marriage is disintegrating. One night, he rescues a homeless man (Samuel L. Jackson) and discovers the guy is Battling Bob Satterfield, a former boxer rumored to be dead. Erik sees a chance to give his career a much-needed boost by writing the athlete's story.

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Critics Consensus

While sluggish in spots, Resurrecting the Champ is a sports/newsroom drama elevated by high-caliber performances by Samuel Jackson, Josh Hartnett, and Alan Alda.

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Tom Charity

CNN.com

Resurrecting the Champ is authentic in its newsroom scenes, and appropriately concerned at how entertainment value trumps diligent reporting.

Aug 28, 2007

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Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

Despite one great performance and an intriguing setup, the work is crippled by another performance that's nowhere near great, and a storyline that makes it impossible to root for the leading man.

Aug 27, 2007

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Tasha Robinson

AV Club

Champ is a solid effort with a lot going for it, but it suggests that Lurie still isn't willing to relax and let viewers interpret his films.

Rated: B-

Aug 25, 2007

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

With Resurrecting the Champ the truth is quite simple. It's a knockout.

Nov 13, 2019

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Towering over the entire picture is Jackson, who takes a showy role and invests it with so much humanity that it's impossible not to feel deeply for the character every step of the way.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 29, 2019

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Heather Huntington

ReelzChannel.com

Nothing can wrench this movie from the grip of a saccharine, formulaic script full of plattitudes and divided allegiances.

Rated: 4/10

Aug 26, 2008

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Cristian s

Muy buena película basada en una historia real. Historia que atrapa y la actuación de Samuel L. Jackson es excelente.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/09/23

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chris b

I am in it as a silent on Camera it's got to be good. It is a good story I watched it and was surprised. Best movie in the world no but it has it's moments and worth taking a look at. A simple triumph of human spirit is what we need right now.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

A fatherhood and morality tale apparently. Didn't quite knock me out with it though. Relatively original in parts, and before the twist it was compelling enough. After that point it feels a bit like that heavyweight fight after the fighters get tired and it becomes a stalemate. Alan Alda is a great curmudgeon anyway.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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Audience Member

Josh Hartnett and a plot twist. Extra points for this already good story ??

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Frances H

Touching and well acted film about a has-been boxer and the reporter who writes his story.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/16/16

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Audience Member

Not bad though cause I am not a big fan of movies about boxing.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

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Rod Lurie

Director

Samuel L. Jackson

Champ

Josh Hartnett

Erik

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Synopsis

Things are not going well for Erik Kernan (Josh Hartnett). Erik, a sports reporter, is stuck covering the bush leagues because his editor (Alan Alda) thinks he cannot cut it as writer. On top of that, his marriage is disintegrating. One night, he rescues a homeless man (Samuel L. Jackson) and discovers the guy is Battling Bob Satterfield, a former boxer rumored to be dead. Erik sees a chance to give his career a much-needed boost by writing the athlete's story.

Director: Rod Lurie
Producer: Mike Medavoy, Bob Yari, Marc Frydman, Rod Lurie
Screenwriter: Michael Bortman, Allison Burnett
Distributor: Yari Film Group
Production Co: Phoenix Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence|Brief Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 24, 2007, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.2M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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