Resurrecting the Champ

PG-13

Released Aug 24, 2007

1 hr. 52 min.

Drama

List

61%

119 Reviews

Tomatometer

60%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Kathryn Morris

Joyce

Alan Alda

Metz

Teri Hatcher

Flak

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David Fear

Time Out

Rated: 2/5

Nov 18, 2011

Full Review

Hank Sartin

Time Out

Rated: 3/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

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

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

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

Nov 13, 2019

Full Review

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

Full Review

Kevin Carr

7M Pictures

a must see for the performances

Rated: 4.5/5

Sep 20, 2014

Full Review

Read all reviews

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
Executive Producer: Arnold Messer, Bradley J. Fischer, Louis Phillips, Frederick Zollo
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
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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