This kid can fight with one leg.
I have two movies distributed by MGM and Amazon this season about two kinds of fighters. There’s “The Fire Inside,” which is about the female boxer Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, and “Unstoppable,” which is about the wrestler Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg. This review will focus on “Unstoppable.”
I never would have dreamed I see a kid walking up the iconic Rocky Steps with crutches. That kid would happen to be young wrestler Anthony Robles, who, despite his one leg, became a champ, and as I’ve mentioned, he’s the subject of the biopic “Unstoppable.”
I was just reminded of “Stronger,” which had Jake Gyllenhaal playing Jeff Bauman, who lost his legs during the Boston Marathon Bombing, but still continued to walk. What these two have in common, other than the special effects and props, is that they both honor those disabled athletes without degrading them, and while their screenplays aren’t perfect, they still full of commitment and courage. That’s the most uplifting element of those biographies.
Jharrel Jerome (“Moonlight”) stars as Anthony, who is ambitious to go to the best school in Iowa, but it doesn’t want him. In fact, he doesn’t even want to go to the one school willing to give him a chance. In the meantime, he undergoes training from his trainer (Michael Pena) and coach (Don Cheadle).
Lately, I’ve been panning a lot of Jennifer Lopez movies that weren’t visual albums or documentaries. They include “The Mother,” “Shotgun edding,” and “Atlas.” But she gives her best performance since “Hustlers” as Anthony’s mother Judy, who has to deal with the crap taken from her cop husband Rick (Bobby Cannavale). His behavior has become unacceptable, especially during Anthony’s childhood when he has to be the one to tell him he’s not his biological father. And later in life, when that jerk tries to put the young fighter in his place.
Parts of the screenplay (written by Eric Champnella, Alex Harris, and John Hindman) get a little confusing with the financial troubles that affect Anthony’s family, but a lot of the other elements are consistent and truthful. It regards how Anthony refused to let fear and cynicism get in his way, and how he thrives on whatever happens in his life. His family drama, his mind affecting some of his matches, and how he learns to overcome them.
“Unstoppable” is the directorial debut for William Goldenberg, who is the Oscar-winning editor for “Argo,” and his other credits consist on a number of movies like “Zero Dark Thirty,” “The Imitation Game,” and “Seabiscuit.” And Ben Affleck is a producer on this film, so these two have collaborated before. But neither of them have worked with the real Anthony, who also serves as a producer. Their latest film reflects on the strength and humanity in this young wrestler, and Jerome gives an exceptional and believable performance as him.
I also admire the scenes with how Anthony walks up the Rocky Steps, and his matches are beautifully photographed by Salvatore Totino (“Any Given Sunday,” “Bird Box”). They all capture the nostalgia of that boxing classic and how the crowds are cheering for this kid during the fights. I know these are two completely different kinds of fighting, but the adage still applies because of what comes out of them.
It’s nice when a sports movie breaks away from the old sports movie cliches. But it’s nicer when a sports movie honors a disabled legend without humiliating or degrading him. He doesn’t need those kind of cliches; he needs a story and characters to support him along the way. That’s what the real Anthony has, and that’s what makes this movie uplifting.
In Select Theaters This Friday
Streaming on Amazon Prime Video January 16
