This is an implausible story about a 40-year-old who punches hard. He's a stereotypical loser a few good decisions shy of finally getting on track. Professionally, he's just about to get his contractor's license after a lifetime of not following through on much of anything.
At that age it's very hard to match the athletic abilities of younger boxers, but with a propitious knockout he impresses a trainer just enough for the man to convince Jerry (Carolla's character) that he has a shot at achieving some amateur boxing glory, thus giving his directionless life some meaning.
It's best characterized as a sports comedy and it really works. Carolla has genuinely professional comedic timing and the creativity to devise funny dialogue. The physical gags and contractor humour also get some laughs.
The drama also works. This isn't just some stereotypical downtrodden melodrama boxer who gets a lucky shot at evasive glory. All jokes aside, this is a serious matter - a man reaches 40 and hasn't done anything he's really proud of. Should he keep on struggling? Should he give up and take what he can? Carolla explores these questions all while enjoying some authentically developed romance and friendship.
Along the same lines, it's worth noting that Carolla seems to have a far stronger and more nuanced understanding of the Hispanic community than Hollywood has ever had. It's set in LA, which is majority Hispanic, and Hispanics, along with their culture and sense of humour, were woven in expertly, respectfully, and realistically. Carolla's friendship with Ozzy, in particular, is both believable and touching.
I don't like the ending, but I guess Carolla thought it was the only decent thing to do. So what can you do, eh?
This movie stands toe-to-toe with sports greats, such as Rocky (1976) and I, Tonya (2017). It's funny, it's relevant, it's touching, and never with any of that Hollywood desperation to haul a tear out of someone's eye or extract some chepa laughs.
Honourable Mentions: Crying Fist (2005). Another Old vs. Young boxing movie with a similar ending. It's not as good as Hammer and it's a serious straight drama, but the production values are high and it has a strong story, so definitely worth taking a look at.
At that age it's very hard to match the athletic abilities of younger boxers, but with a propitious knockout he impresses a trainer just enough for the man to convince Jerry (Carolla's character) that he has a shot at achieving some amateur boxing glory, thus giving his directionless life some meaning.
It's best characterized as a sports comedy and it really works. Carolla has genuinely professional comedic timing and the creativity to devise funny dialogue. The physical gags and contractor humour also get some laughs.
The drama also works. This isn't just some stereotypical downtrodden melodrama boxer who gets a lucky shot at evasive glory. All jokes aside, this is a serious matter - a man reaches 40 and hasn't done anything he's really proud of. Should he keep on struggling? Should he give up and take what he can? Carolla explores these questions all while enjoying some authentically developed romance and friendship.
Along the same lines, it's worth noting that Carolla seems to have a far stronger and more nuanced understanding of the Hispanic community than Hollywood has ever had. It's set in LA, which is majority Hispanic, and Hispanics, along with their culture and sense of humour, were woven in expertly, respectfully, and realistically. Carolla's friendship with Ozzy, in particular, is both believable and touching.
I don't like the ending, but I guess Carolla thought it was the only decent thing to do. So what can you do, eh?
This movie stands toe-to-toe with sports greats, such as Rocky (1976) and I, Tonya (2017). It's funny, it's relevant, it's touching, and never with any of that Hollywood desperation to haul a tear out of someone's eye or extract some chepa laughs.
Honourable Mentions: Crying Fist (2005). Another Old vs. Young boxing movie with a similar ending. It's not as good as Hammer and it's a serious straight drama, but the production values are high and it has a strong story, so definitely worth taking a look at.