Resurrecting the Champ (2007)

This week we continue on in the A-to-Z challenge as we look at what the letter “R” has in store for us. We’ll be dealing with a movie based on a true story as we look at Resurrecting the Champ (2007).

Title: Resurrecting the Champ

Director: Rod Lurie

Released: August 24, 2007

Runtime: 1 hour 52 minutes

Available to stream on: Peacock, Tubi, Pluto, and Freevee

IMDb synopsis: Up-and-coming sports reporter rescues a homeless man (“Champ”) only to discover that he is, in fact, a boxing legend believed to have passed away. What begins as an opportunity to resurrect Champ’s story and escape the shadow of his father’s success becomes a personal journey as the ambitious reporter reexamines his own life and his relationship with his family.

Erik Kernan Jr. (Josh Hartnett) is a sportswriter for a major Denver newspaper. His father was a boxing announcer and Erik is trying to live up to the reputation of his name. One night, after leaving a boxing match he was covering, Erik hears something happening in an alley and decides to check on it. Turns out there are a couple of young kids beating on a homeless man (Samuel L. Jackson). Erik runs them off but not before they knockdown the homeless man.

When Erik walks over to check on the old man and asks if he is okay, the old man replies and says the boys were just having fun because it’s fun to beat the Champ. When Erik asks what he means when he refers to himself as “Champ”, he learns that the man he just helped is none other than Battlin’ Bob Satterfield. What’s the significance of a homeless man claiming to be Bob Satterfield? Well, everyone believes that Bob Satterfield has been dead for twenty years.

Coming into contact with Champ could not have happened at a better time for Erik. It just so happens that his editor Ralph Metz (Alan Alda) has flat out told him that his writing is boring and forgetful. Erik sees the writing on the wall and knows he’s on the chopping block. He decides that for his next assignment, another boxing match, he’ll bring Champ with him. While ringside next to Erik, Champ tells him who will win and how it will happen. Low and behold, Champ was correct, and Erik used Champ’s explanation of how he knew who would win in his article.

As Erik’s luck would have it, Metz liked the piece and said it even sounded authentic. However, Erik is still looking for that one story that will open bigger and better doors for him. So, he decides to tell the story of Bob Satterfield, getting Champ to agree to tell the world his story and that he is very much still alive. But he’s not writing the piece for Metz, he’s going behind Metz’s back and writing it for a weekly magazine the newspaper runs. In fact, Erik was promised it would be the cover story of the magazine.

Champ tells his Erik his story and all about how he used to be the number three ranked fighter in the world. He used to spar with Rocky Marciano, he even broke Marciano’s nose, not the big bone but the little one. Erik knows that he has an amazing story on his hands and runs with it. As promised, the story, titled ‘Resurrecting the Champ’, is the cover story. Donations come pouring in to help Champ, Erik gets a call to be an interviewer for Showtime Boxing, everyone is getting exactly what they needed.

So, a true story that ends with a happy ending, what’s not to love? Well, what if that isn’t the end of the story? What if there’s a story for Erik within the story about Champ?

Truth be told, I don’t remember hearing much of anything about Resurrecting the Champ when it was released. And I definitely didn’t know that it was based on a true story. So, I went into this viewing not knowing what to expect. One thing I certainly didn’t expect was the performance we get from Samuel L. Jackson. Not that I ever doubt his ability, I’m no fool, but that his performance makes this movie. The way he moves, speaks, and carries himself as a homeless down and out former contender is so convincing that you forget you’re watching an actor. While Jackson acted believable, the hair and makeup team deserves credit as well for making Jackson look believable in the role. Josh Hartnett gives one of his better performances here as Erik Kernan Jr. and the supporting cast carries their weight as well, Alan Alda especially.

For as great as the movie can be when Samuel L. Jackson is on screen; it can swing just as easily in the other direction when he’s not. That’s not to say that the story isn’t good. But, when the focus is more on Erik and his issues that he is trying to work through regarding his father, my interest started to fade.

A compelling, albeit forgettable, sports drama that deserved more.

If you’re curious to read the article the movie was based on, you can find it here.

Well, those are my thoughts. But what about yours? Have you seen Resurrecting the Champ (2007)? If so, hit me with your thoughts in the comments below or by reaching out on social media!

Next up will be the letter “S”. There’s certainly no shortage of options there. Do you have a suggestion for what the movie should be? Well, you know the drill. You’ve got until Wednesday morning to get those suggestions in!