Against the Ropes

Review by Clint Morris

In most boxing movies we’re introduced to an underdog that’ll undeniably have us cheering them on by the time their definitive fight comes at the end of the film.

Charles S.Dutton’s Against the Ropes is no different, except for the fact that it’s not a male boxer we’re rooting for, but a female boxing promoter.

The true story of iconic boxing legend, Jackie Kallen, Against the Ropes smothers a bit of slick Windex on a surface laid down many times before.

Kallen’s always been a bit of a boxing nut. She watched her father train men in the ring as a youngster, and when she was old enough, opted for a job in the same field. She’s not a trainer, or anything as high-ranking as that, she’s an assistant to a promoter, nonetheless. An over-worked slave would seem to have it easier.

Eventually, Kallen’s fate becomes clearer when an opportunity arises from her to actually manage a boxer. A boxer, her boss, is already deemed a loser. She is, of course, determined to change all that.

After the rather daring In the Cut, Against the Ropes seems a lot safer a vehicle for Meg Ryan. There’s nothing as artiste about her role here, but it’s a film that will no doubt bring back those fans she lost by getting her garb off in the artist Campion film.

Her performance of Kallen is adorable to say the least. Cute, likeable, gutsy and relatable, the actress shines in some of the scenes – especially near the end.

In fact, those film’s final moments are near as uplifting as Rocky.

Against the Ropes doesn’t win on all counts though.

The characters – even Kallen, to an extent – are written a little broad for anyone to really relate or get to know well enough, and the story’s regrettably been tweaked to concentrate more on the fictional character of Luther (Omar Epps), the newbie box with seemingly slim to no chances of winning the prize comp, than the film’s draw card.

If you’re begging to see a little bit of the ‘Meg’ we used to know (i.e., with her clothes on), some well choreographed boxing scenes, and don’t mind a bit of throwaway entertainment from time to time, Against the Ropes is a prudent pick.

3 out of 5

Against the Ropes
Australian release: Thursday August 5th
Cast: Meg Ryan, Omar Epps, Charles S.Dutton, Tony Shalhoub, Tim Daly, Joe Cortese, Kerry Washington.
Director: Charles S. Dutton.
Website: Click here.

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