‘Unstoppable’: Jennifer Lopez’s True Story Triumph—Is It Really a True Hollywood Adaptation?

by

Quick Links

  • ‘Unstoppable’ Received Festival Fame and Critical Praise

Jennifer Lopez will appear in an upcoming sports drama titled “Unstoppable“, streaming soon on Prime Video. This heartwarming tale is a fact-based account of Anthony Robles’ life, a determined American wrestler who, despite being born without a second leg, triumphantly claimed the NCAA wrestling championship title.

According to Robles’ 2012 book “Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated: How I Became a Champion”, the movie primarily portrays the wrestler’s journey towards becoming an NCAA champion. Since Robles was involved in the production, the script reflects his experiences accurately. However, despite his active role, Robles expresses one significant disappointment as a crucial person was omitted from the film.

‘Unstoppable’ Is a Close Adaption of Robles’ Novel

Read Our Review

The film closely follows the narrative of Anthony Robles’ 2012 novel. Born with only one leg, portrayed by Jharrel Jerome, Robles embarks on a journey to build physical strength and adapt to his condition. Finding a love for wrestling, he manages to secure a place on his school’s wrestling team, facing resistance from others. However, his mother, Judy (Jennifer Lopez), provides unwavering encouragement, spurring him onwards.

The movie portrays the journey of Robles transforming into a powerful wrestler while attending Arizona State University. Unstoppable highlights Roble’s true-life quest to win the 2011 NCAA wrestling championship, a role he was closely involved in creating. In fact, Roble developed a friendship with the film’s director, Jerome, and even performed as his stunt double for more accurate wrestling moves. Unstoppable additionally delves into the personal hardships faced by Robles and his mother, Judy, as they navigate family tensions brought on by the arrival of a stepfather.

Even though Robles played a significant role in making the movie, there’s one thing he wishes could have been different: not including his ex-high school wrestling teammate, Chris Frieje. In an interview with Living with Amplitude, Robles spoke fondly of Frieje, whom he considers vital to his life. “Chris had no mercy on me,” Robles recalled, “and that’s exactly what I admired about him.” Reflecting on how people often treated him differently due to his missing limb, Frieje taught him the importance of accountability by treating him like anyone else. As Robles put it, “Chris taught me to focus on who you are, not on what you might be lacking.” Regrettably, Robles attributed Frieje’s absence from the film to the time constraints that came with its production.

‘Unstoppable’ Received Festival Fame and Critical Praise

On September 6, 2024, I had the pleasure of premiering my movie, “Unstoppable,” at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Fast forward to December 6, 2024, and the film was gracing limited screens in US cinemas. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave it an impressive 81% score. While some found the plot predictable, sticking closely to the sports movie formula, the general consensus was overwhelmingly positive. The film was hailed as a heartwarming and inspiring watch. Variety labeled “Unstoppable” a “rare sports crowd-pleaser,” while Shifter praised it as “a universal and inspirational story that transcends sports.” The captivating performances of Jennifer Lopez and Jharrel Jerome, particularly their portrayal of a mother and son, made the film an emotional rollercoaster, leaving many with teary eyes.

In this movie production, Artists Equity – a company co-founded by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck – took charge as the film’s creators. Ben Affleck himself was the producer for this project, while Elaine Goldsmith Thomas, often working with Jennifer Lopez, also served as producer due to their past collaborations on projects like Atlas, This Is Me…Now, Shotgun Wedding, Shades of Blue, and others. William Goldenberg makes his directorial debut in Unstoppable. The script was transformed from Robles’ biography by Eric Champnella, Alex Harris, and John Hindman.

Unstoppable features a star-studded cast alongside Jennifer Lopez, Jharrel Jerome, Bobby Cannavale (known for ‘Marry Me’), Don Cheadle (‘Iron Man 2’), Michael Peña (‘Ant-Man’), and Shawn Hatosy (‘Animal Kingdom’). This movie received numerous accolades during its festival run. For instance, it won the Student Choice Award at the Philadelphia Film Festival, the Maverick Award at the Winter IndieWire Honors for Jennifer Lopez, and the Breakthrough Actor Award at the Celebration of Cinema and Television for Jharrel Jerome.

The heartwarming, real-life account of an American sportsman who conquered adversity and personal hardships en route to becoming an NCAA champion, Relentless Pursuit showcases Robles’ resilience in the face of obstacles. This movie closely follows the milestones in Robles’ life as detailed in his 2012 book, with a special focus on his strong bond with his caring mother Judy, family challenges, and unwavering commitment to excelling at his sport. Although the film could not feature all those who supported Robles along his journey, its depiction of his determination and path towards the NCAA championship is utterly inspiring. Beginning January 16, you’ll be able to stream Unstoppable on Prime Video.

Read More

2025-01-17 03:31