Against the Ropes Review
by Laura Clifford (laura AT reelingreviews DOT com)February 21st, 2004
AGAINST THE ROPES
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When young Jackie Kallen's (Skye McCole Bartusiak, "Riding in Cars with Boys") boxing uncle Ray Ray (Sean Bell, "Bulletproof Monk") would ask her 'What are you gonna do when you grow up?' she always gave him the answer he expected - 'Kick butt and break hearts.' Twenty some odd years later, Jackie's (Meg Ryan) got a job in her beloved boxing world, but as a woman, she's hit the glass ceiling. She's "Against the Ropes."
This long delayed flick would have seemed to be past its expiration date, but surprisingly, "Against the Ropes" delivers a few jabs before it's TKO'ed. Meg Ryan follows up her genre-bending performance in "In the Cut" with another step outside the romantic comedy realm, portraying the real life female boxing manager like her own "Erin Brockovich." Unfortunately, the performance may not be convincing, but it is worth a look.
Jackie knows her sport, but her boss Irving Abel (Joseph Cortese, "American History X") masks her abilities in front of boxing promoter Sam Larocca (Tony Shalhoub, "Spy Kids 3: Game Over"), an intimidating guy with rumored mob ties. Kallen speaks up to defend a fighter Larocca's dissing post-bout and soon he's saving face by daring her to take over the guy's contract for $1. Supported by local sports reporter Gaven Ross (Timothy Daly, TV's "Wings"), she does, but she really surprises everybody by convincing her loser's drug dealer, Luther Shaw (Omar Epps, "Big Trouble"), to let her manage a boxing career for him. When Larocca blocks her professional chances in Cleveland, Kallen takes Shaw to Buffalo and soon he's too big to ignore, but Kallen lets the media attention, which is focused on her, blind her to her boxer's needs and contributions. Ever the fighter, Kallen does some soul searching and finds herself a champion once again.
Ryan, fitted out with heavy eyeliner, Brokovich-provocative wardrobe and bangs in her eyes, gives an interesting performance, but one that constantly demands analysis rather than allowing the audience to give itself over to it. Ryan puts on a kittenish street voice (not having heard Kallen, I cannot profess as to its accuracy) and shows the right amount of conflict, a hesitant confidence, if you will, but she never succeeds in truly sinking into the skin of the character. She does get moments right, particularly when using her sexuality and superior attitude at press conferences. Her performance suffers from the same slightly off feel that pervades the film.
Epps, introduced as a pummeling street thug, maintains a swaggering boxer's stance throughout the film, convincing as potential raw talent. Director Charles S. Dutton adds genial support as Felix, a retired coach dragged back into sports by Jackie's fondness and admiration. It's entertaining to see Shalhoub take and deliver on an uncharacteristic bad guy role and Cortese also serves up able support with his blustering misogyny. Daly's solid as a likable Cleveland sportscaster serving as Jackie's moral compass. Kerry Washington ("The Human Stain") has little to do as Jackie's fellow secretary who becomes Shaw's love interest.
As adapted by Cheryl Edwards ("Save the Last Dance") with Jackie Kallen, facts are massaged to pump up the drama (the real Kallen began as an entertainment journalist). Edwards presents Kallen's smarts in a switcheroo scene involving a glass of orange juice and the unlikeliness of the underdog boxer/coach/manager trio by having the characters compete for control of a car radio. Dutton paces the film well, but he milks more tension in his press conference scenes than he does in the ring and the film's transitions don't always flow well, a disservice to the performances. Ruth E. Carter ("Daddy Day Care") gives Ryan an 80's bondage style with leather and clothes featuring cutouts and lacing. Original Music by Michael Kamen ("Open Range") is a muted version of the "Rocky" school.
"Against the Ropes" is better than its continual delays would suggest but it is unfortunate that the time wasn't spent giving the film a few more polishes.
C
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