Against the Ropes (2004)

This is a not-very-well-written film that nonetheless has redeeming features. The story arc is clichéd, (underdog succeeds against all odds, hubris sets in, everything lost, then redemption), and Meg Ryan, who I think is a better actress than some, is badly miscast here. She just can't come across as tough enough for this role. The slutty clothes her character wore, although looking very nice, didn't fit. (Even though I'm sure she was channeling Kallen) Omar Epps put in a very nice performance, and I have to compliment Kerry Washington and Charles S. Dutton for their work, although there was not enough of Washington. Also Tony Shalhoub who I haven't much cared for, shows his chops by going against type playing an imposing and menacing character. I see that Dutton directed and did well, inasmuch as I never noticed the direction. This film has deep faults, but somehow works, at least to a point. I thought it was OK.

I sat through all of this... and I have to say that it is another colossal and predictable waste of celluloid... Mz. Ryan is terribly miscast and nowhere near tough enough for this type of role... and that lace-up leather number she has on really accentuates the worst of her physical stature... I wish I could say something good about this movie... Meg Ryan has given us some pretty good movies in the past, but I can't seem to find any redeeming qualities... The whole thing needs a remake, with a different cast, as I believe that Jackie Kallen's story is valid to boxing history and should be told...I thought that Tony Shalhoub, the actor who is Jackie's rival (also plays Monk on TV)has turned in a sight better performances than this before... sorry, but this is one dog of a movie you should avoid...

I was never quite sure how bad a movie could get until I saw "Against the Ropes". This movie is so bad that it is extremely funny. The performances are over the top and annoying. The music is awful and out of place. The boxing scenes are unrealistic and lame, and the dialog is full of bad metaphors and retarded one-liners. This movie has every element of a bad movie. It has a cheesy uplifting ending, a slow clap, and a slow-motion freeze frame at the end.This movie stars Meg Ryan,Omar Epps, and the ultimate B-list actor Tim Daly. The only decent performance is ring announcer Michael Buffer. I recommend watching this movie on mute, because Meg Ryan is nice to look at.

It would seem if this story was based on a real lady, then it would have been more interesting and not have everything fall step by step. Jackie loves boxing, works as a secretary at a boxing venue, gets a chance to manage on a bet, finds a young fighter who has potential, becomes successful, gets an ego, falls from grace, but wins the last fight in a miraculous manner. Here, the part I hated the most was Jackie determines that Luther is championship material after he beats up two crackheads. I didn't know finding a champion boxer was so easy.Ryan over acts and uses this bad accent like she's talking through her nose. I also didn't think the boxing fights were shot too well. All of the characters are cardboard cut outs, especially the rival promoter. And the standing ovation at the end for Jackie was so over-the-top. Could it get any more sappy? FINAL VERDICT: Follows a step by step story line for movies like this. There's no emotional hook and it's stereo typical as stereo typical gets.