Against the Ropes Review

"Against the Ropes" is a loosely based film inspired by the true story of Jackie Kallen, the most successful female manager in boxing history. Starring Meg Ryan in the lead role, the movie tells the tale of this determined underdog who breaks into the male-dominated sport and overcomes numerous challenges to reach the top. However, despite the intriguing premise, the film must deliver a powerful and credible story.

Kallen, a Jewish woman from Detroit, grew up surrounded by boxing, with her father as a trainer and her uncle as a mediocre boxer. With a passion for the sport, Kallen knew She had a strong desire to forge a career in the boxing world and escape her mundane job as an assistant to an arrogant boxing promoter. Taking a daring leap, she buys the contract of a local boxing hero who has recently suffered a defeat. Kallen believes she can turn his career around with proper management and training. Unfortunately, she soon discovers that her client's losses are not solely due to poor management but also his destructive lifestyle involving drugs.

However, amidst the challenges, Kallen finds a glimmer of hope when she comes across Lethal Luther Shaw, a diamond in the rough. Determined to make him a champion, she pours her heart and soul into his training. The film builds up to a climactic title bout between Shaw and the client of the man who initially set Kallen on her managerial path.

While Meg Ryan performs better here than in her previous film, "In the Cut," she still falls slightly short of fully embodying the tough and resilient boxing manager. Ryan's portrayal leans more towards femininity rather than delivering the necessary grit and determination. Nonetheless, she does exude intelligence, which, if combined with more confidence and strength, could have created a more impactful character.

One of the film's shortcomings lies in Cheryl Edwards' script, which takes too many liberties, transforming the story into a saccharine soapbox rather than focusing on substance and credibility. The film emphasizes Kallen's victories at the expense of delving into her inherent abilities and efforts. Additionally, the resolution of Kallen's struggles feels disconnected from the overall story, leaving a gap between her self-absorption and the eventual redemption of her character. The film must provide a deeper understanding of Kallen's background, only offering a surface-level glimpse into her life.

Omar Epps delivers an excellent performance as Lethal Luther, showcasing his charismatic and street-wise persona. However, his boxing skills need to improve, which detracts from the believability that he could become a champion. Charles S. Dutton, who also serves as the director, shines as trainer Felix Reynolds, bringing wisdom and conviction to the character. However, Tony Shalhoub's portrayal of promoter Sam Larocca must capture the sleaziness required for the role.

Editing plays a crucial role in sports films, and Eric Beason's work here needs to be revised, particularly in the fight scenes. The editing needs to mask Epps' shortcomings as a fighter, hindering the believability of his character's journey to a title. The shortcomings in the fight scenes can be attributed to the choreography, where some of the blame lies. The editor's responsible for enhancing the final product, which needs to be improved in this case.

Overall, Jackie Kallen's story had the potential for a better film. The ingredients were there, but the execution and promotion needed improvement. "Against the Ropes" results in a split decision, falling short of its promising premise.