Resurrecting the Champ

Resurrecting The Champ is one to see, an engrossing, surprising and moving drama that will restore your faith in the power of movies to tell great human stories. Inspired by true events, Josh Hartnett does some of his best screen work as a Denver newspaper sports reporter who meets a homeless man (Samuel L. Jackson) who was a former boxing champ and one of the bright lights of the fight game. Now down on his luck and living in the streets, he tells his stories of past triumphs which Hartnett believes could be his own ticket to the big time. When the article is published, however, the story takes an unexpected twist—turns out 'Champ' may not exactly be telling the whole truth. Before that can be revealed, Hartnett becomes an emerging star, not only in the newsroom, but most importantly in the eyes of his young son (Dakota Goyo) from an estranged marriage to a fellow journalist (Kathryn Morris). Resurrecting The Champ, which was a success at this year's Sundance Film Festival, is expertly directed by Rod Lurie and steers clear of clichés to become an interesting look at deception, journalistic ethics, the relationship between fathers and sons, and the unexpected curveballs life throws at you. What it isn't, despite the inspirational title, is another uplifting underdog "comeback" movie, largely thanks to the performance of Jackson who has never been better and is the number one reason to see this film. His brilliant portrait of a forgotten boxer well past his glory days should be remembered at Oscar time.