Resurrecting the Champ

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Resurrecting the Champ

PG-13

2007

1h 52m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

115 Reviews

60%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Things are not going well for Erik Kernan (Josh Hartnett). Erik, a sports reporter, is stuck covering the bush leagues because his editor (Alan Alda) thinks he cannot cut it as writer. On top of that, his marriage is disintegrating. One night, he rescues a homeless man (Samuel L. Jackson) and discovers the guy is Battling Bob Satterfield, a former boxer rumored to be dead. Erik sees a chance to give his career a much-needed boost by writing the athlete's story.

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Critics Consensus

While sluggish in spots, Resurrecting the Champ is a sports/newsroom drama elevated by high-caliber performances by Samuel Jackson, Josh Hartnett, and Alan Alda.

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Tom Charity

CNN.com

Aug 28, 2007

Resurrecting the Champ is authentic in its newsroom scenes, and appropriately concerned at how entertainment value trumps diligent reporting.

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Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

Aug 27, 2007

Despite one great performance and an intriguing setup, the work is crippled by another performance that's nowhere near great, and a storyline that makes it impossible to root for the leading man.

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Tasha Robinson

AV Club

Aug 25, 2007

B-

Champ is a solid effort with a lot going for it, but it suggests that Lurie still isn't willing to relax and let viewers interpret his films.

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Nov 13, 2019

With Resurrecting the Champ the truth is quite simple. It's a knockout.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Jun 29, 2019

3/4

Towering over the entire picture is Jackson, who takes a showy role and invests it with so much humanity that it's impossible not to feel deeply for the character every step of the way.

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Heather Huntington

ReelzChannel.com

Aug 26, 2008

4/10

Nothing can wrench this movie from the grip of a saccharine, formulaic script full of plattitudes and divided allegiances.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 9, 2026

This movie is deserving of *3* stas

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Don S.

@dsmith1157 Mar 20, 2026

Good story, well acted, good twist.

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Cristian s

@cristiansj Sep 9, 2023

Muy buena película basada en una historia real. Historia que atrapa y la actuación de Samuel L. Jackson es excelente.

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chris b

@Burge Jun 1, 2020

I am in it as a silent on Camera it's got to be good. It is a good story I watched it and was surprised. Best movie in the world no but it has it's moments and worth taking a look at. A simple triumph of human spirit is what we need right now.

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Sep 9, 2016

A fatherhood and morality tale apparently. Didn't quite knock me out with it though. Relatively original in parts, and before the twist it was compelling enough. After that point it feels a bit like that heavyweight fight after the fighters get tired and it becomes a stalemate. Alan Alda is a great curmudgeon anyway.

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Jul 27, 2016

Josh Hartnett and a plot twist. Extra points for this already good story ??

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Synopsis

Things are not going well for Erik Kernan (Josh Hartnett). Erik, a sports reporter, is stuck covering the bush leagues because his editor (Alan Alda) thinks he cannot cut it as writer. On top of that, his marriage is disintegrating. One night, he rescues a homeless man (Samuel L. Jackson) and discovers the guy is Battling Bob Satterfield, a former boxer rumored to be dead. Erik sees a chance to give his career a much-needed boost by writing the athlete's story.

Director: Rod Lurie
Producer: Mike Medavoy, Bob Yari, Marc Frydman, Rod Lurie
Screenwriter: Michael Bortman, Allison Burnett
Distributor: Yari Film Group
Production Co: Phoenix Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence|Brief Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 24, 2007, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.2M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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