Alan Alda, Dakota Goyo, Josh Hartnett

When up-and-coming sports writer Erik Kernan saves a homeless man from a scrape with a group of rowdy college kids, he unwittingly finds himself face to face with no ordinary bum, but Champ, the one-t...( read more  read more... )ime boxing great Bob Satterfield. What begins as a story resurrecting a once-great man turns into an incredible journey, and an opportunity for Erik to reexamine his own life, his relationship with his young son and his recently separated wife.

Flixster Users

63% liked it

25,159 ratings

Critics

59% liked it

113 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 53 min.

Directed by: Rod Lurie

Release Date: August 24, 2007

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DVD Release Date: February 26, 2008

Stats: 1,445 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,445)


  • May 19, 2008
    Based upon a true story, this film might have made a greater impact had the writing been better. The actors did a great job, even without a great script. Samuel L Jackson was magnificent. The story is filled with good morals, and I'd really hoped to rate this one much higher. ...( read more) The poor writing had me begging for the movie to end. The 3 star rating is for the actors and the persons they portrayed.
  • April 29, 2008
    I had never heard od the story till I saw a preview for the movie a while back. The cast was excellent, Samuel can't do no wrong, even in his bad movies. The story was very compelling and sucked me right in. Very interesting, funny how easy it is still to believe...but good. With...( read more) all the bad you do wanna believe when something sounds good...
  • April 9, 2008
    Based on a true story, that was based on a lie.

    Resurrecting the Champ is a movie co-starring Samuel L. Jackson and Josh Hartnett, in which struggling sports writer Erik Kernan (Hartnett) meets a homeless man who claims to be "Champ," a former boxing champion who many believe ...( read more)to be dead (Jackson). Kernan proposes to write a story about the Champ, hoping to give himself a much-needed career boost. At the same time he is writing the story, Kernan is also attempting to save his failing marriage and be a father his son can admire and be proud of. A lot of people will talk about Samuel L. Jackson's portrayal of the worn-out boxer, but the true revelation of the film is the acting of Josh Hartnett, who I have never thought could be so believable or appealing. He has always been just kind of a pretty boy, really. But here, he plays a father, a husband, a journalist, and according to Aristotle's definition, a classic "Tragic Hero." He desires to impress his son to the degree that he sometimes bends the truth a bit too often...which ultimately annihilates his relationship with his son. The child, Teddy, is played by a kid named Dakota Goyo, who will become a big star. This movie was able to provide a great story without the usual trash that's seen in many of the films we see today. This movie emphasized the importance of values and honesty which I think everyone needs to be reminded of. When it comes to films that you can sense the passion and heart of the storytelling being present in every frame, this one is near the top of that list.
  • August 29, 2007
    Pretty good movie, decent story. There could/should have been way more depth to it though, I never got involved emotionally with any of the characters. And I don't get why people keep talking about SLJ's performance (which is phenomenal btw) and skip over Hartnett, I thought he...( read more) did some of the best work of his career here. I'd suggest renting this movie though.
  • May 4, 2008
    I'm not much of a Sam Jackson fan but he did a good job in this movie. Not really a sports flix, Good Story Base. Worth the buy or the Rent, Will add to my collection.
  • October 30, 2009
    The movie started off kinda slow but then
    picked up when the twist happened
  • October 23, 2009
    After the forgetttable Freedomland and the godawful, Snakes on a plane, I was pretty reluctant to watch any more of Samuel L Jackson movies. However, here he delivered one of the best performance in his career and I haven t seen Hartnett is a very good and suitable role in a whil...( read more)e so this was an unexpected treat. Hartnett did bring a lot of heart and soul to his character as a sports journalist struggling to get noticed at his newspaper firm.There happens to be a lot of emotional baggage here but overall the story still works. Probably due to the amazing lead and supporting casts.
  • October 3, 2009
    Since it may be about more than just guys pummeling each other, Ill probably watch it.
  • September 9, 2009
    weird flick...but Josh Hartnett was in it so I watched it...alittle confusing to follow
  • September 4, 2009
    "An amazing underated movie, Sam Jackson is always a great actor for me but he was stunning in this. Josh Hartnett gave the best performance of his career, just an amazing movie."

Critic Reviews


August 25, 2007
Pete Hammond, Maxim

It's one to see, an engrossing, surprising and moving drama that will restore your faith in the power of movies to tell great human stories. full review

August 24, 2007
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Resurrecting the Champ is enjoyable in the moment -- But it's the complexity of Lurie's moral universe that makes it linger in the mind. full review

August 24, 2007
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Jackson disappears into his role, completely convincing, but then he usually is. What a fine actor. full review

August 23, 2007
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

This is at heart a story about fathers and sons and self-discovery, and on that score it's a knockout. full review

View more Resurrecting the Champ reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • brockhabs
    August 27, 2007
    Oh but i didn't cry though not that touching the liying dirt bag!! lol
  • brockhabs
    August 27, 2007
    I have to thank the perivious comment for saving me alot of typing this movie was far below my expectations i was very disapointed I went into the theater expecting another underdog story. Remember the Titans-esque. I didn't get that. What I did get was a rambling of facts, opinions, and thoughts all roled in to a pretty boring movie. Samuel L. Jackson was amazing, as always. Definetly a different character than he usually plays. Josh Hartnett was eh. He always seems like he tries to ride by on his looks and not his talent. Next to SLJ, he looked horrible. And Kathryn Morris... boring. Stick to TV, Kathryn. This may be a harsh review, but this movie was not up to par in my opinion. Takes way too long and sidetracks way too much. I will admit, I cried. It is hard not to. But that doesn't make a movie. All-in-all, great movie to rent, not a great movie to spend 10 bucks on. Wait for the DVD!! Trust my not much boxing in it either!!

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Resurrecting the Champ Trivia


  • What was the last movie that Teri Hatcher was in?  Answer »
  • When up-and-coming sports writer Erik Kernan (Josh Hartnett) saves a homeless man from a scrap with a group of rowdy college kids, he unwittingly finds himself face-to-face with no ordinary bum, but the one-time boxing great Bob Satterfield (Samuel L. Jackson).   Answer »
  • Samuel L. Jackson Movie? Resurrecting the Champ  Answer »

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