Against The Ropes (2004)
"Meg, listen I know you've really been studying boxing, but in light of your last film, calling this one 'In The Upper-Cut' is just wack!"
Starring: |
Meg Ryan
|
Released By: |
Paramount Pictures |
Released In: |
2004 |
Rated: |
PG-13 |
Reviewed By: |
Adam Mast |
Grade: |
C |
Against the Ropes was inspired by the life of Jackie Kallen, one of the most famous women to ever manage in the sport of boxing. It was no easy task, as that particular position was the exclusive province of men until she threw her hat in the ring.
This picture follows Kallen and her rise to fame as she discovers a talented fighter in the person of Luther Shaw (Omar Epps). After convincing him that she's the right one (and only one) to manage him, she then sets out to talk retired trainer Felix Reynolds (played by director Charles S. Dutton) into helping shape Shaw into a contender.
Against the Ropes isn't particularly well written. It has many good moments, but the pacing of the story is poorly managed and as a result it doesn't flow very well. This film should have built up to it's various peaks by degree, but as it is Kallen convinces Shaw and Reynolds to take part in her plan within the first half hour of the picture. Which doesn't really leave alot of room for development over the rest of the film's running time. For example I would have expected to see some sort of father/son dynamic develop between Jackie and Luther, and even though Epps is believable, the situation is not because this part of the film is far too rushed.
Against the Ropes is also a film about lessons learned in a world full of money hungry, egocentric sharks with their own agendas and perceptions as the number one priority. And while we do get glimpses into the world of the fighters, this movie mostly focuses on the managers and promoters.
The beautiful (if slightly cosmetically altered) Meg Ryan (coming off a surprisingly effective turn in the otherwise dreadful In the Cut) again tries to play against type as the talkative and media hungry Jackie Kallen. She even makes an attempt at a Detroit accent (which I had a hard time buying). Truth be told, I was never entirely sold on her performance, she seemed miscast from the opening bell and it just didn't work for me. She lacked the strength to pull this character off and I never felt as if she truly knew that much about the sport. And while I was somewhat annoyed by her and this role during certain moments in the picture, this was easier for me to swallow than watching Cameron Diaz play a football team President/Co-Owner in Oliver Stone's Any Given Sunday.
Omar Epps is the strongest part of Against the Ropes, even though the film isn't really about Luther. He bulked up for this role and he adds realism to the authentic boxing sequences. This was an incredibly demanding part, and he pulls it off. I also believed his yearning to be cared for, but again he wasn't given enough screen time for his character to develop.
Dutton adds a touch of class as Felix, the trainer with words of wisdom. Yes, we've seen such characters in countless other sports films (most notably Burgess Meredith's Mickey in the Rocky series), but when done properly, I never tire of them.
Tony Shalhoub is a hoot as Larocca, Kallen's villainous adversary - a ruthless boxing manager and promoter whose key strength is intimidation. It's fun watching this gifted actor play the heavy for a change. It was similar to his dazzling turn in Barton Fink.
Actor Charles S. Dutton also directed Against the Ropes and he himself used to box years ago. His experience certainly shows as the boxing sequences are impressive. They are extremely well crafted and very realistic, although the climactic bout offers up a swelling musical score that begs the audience to cheer.
I suppose it's much too easy to compare Against the Ropes to Erin Brockovich as it features a central heroine who dresses rather provocatively while trying to compete in a profession in which no one wants to take her seriously. The Rocky comparison goes without saying.
While Against the Ropes isn't the complete disaster I was expecting, it never really came together. Perhaps if Mr. Dutton had someone like Ron Shelton flesh out the screenplay. That might have added depth to this sporadically entertaining but underdeveloped look at Kallen's unlikely rise to success in the fight game.
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