‘Unstoppable’ Review: Jharrel Jerome and Jennifer Lopez Bring Grit and Determination to Conventional but Crowd-Pleasing Sports Bio

As a film critic with over three decades of experience under my belt, I must say that “Unstoppable” is a truly inspiring tale of resilience and determination. Having witnessed countless stories of athletes striving for greatness, this film stands out for its authenticity and heart. The performance by Jerome, especially, left me in awe – his portrayal of Anthony Robles was nothing short of extraordinary.

Movies about sports often follow a common pattern – they show struggles, failures, determination, and ultimate victories. When the main character is disadvantaged financially or physically, it adds an underdog element that resonates deeply with audiences. In the movie “Unstoppable“, debuting director William Goldenberg tells the amazing true story of Anthony Robles, a man born without one leg who refused to let his condition hinder him from pursuing his dream in wrestling. What makes this film unique is the strong bond of love and support between Anthony and his mother Judy, which shines particularly through their difficult times. This heartwarming relationship is beautifully portrayed by Jharrel Jerome as Anthony and Jennifer Lopez as Judy.

Goldberg is an Academy Award-winning editor whose partnership with lead producer Ben Affleck spans from “Gone Baby Gone” to the recent release of “Air.” The latter offers a captivating look at a crucial point in Nike’s history, and it’s noteworthy that Robles was the first athlete signed by Nike after he had retired. This compelling documentary about him is set to premiere in selected U.S. and UK cinemas in December, with streaming on Amazon Prime Video following closely.

Unstoppable casually hints that it’s not seeking to redefine the formula, as evident by a strategically positioned Rocky poster in Anthony’s home gym and his dramatic climb up the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps, where he leaves his footprint in Rocky Balboa’s trainers imprinted in concrete. Instead of being overly sentimental, these potentially corny moments are endearing, a trait that reflects a film where every emotional moment is genuinely heart-wrenching.

Following Robles’ 2012 book, screenwriters Eric Champnella, Alex Harris and John Hindman detail the wrestler’s journey, starting from his senior year at Mesa High School in Arizona, where he clinched a national title, all the way to his pursuit, during his final eligibility year, of winning the National Collegiate Athletics Association championship, representing Arizona State University.

From the get-go, it’s evident that Anthony isn’t seeking sympathy due to his disability. Instead, Jerome’s resilient display underscores this fact. Anthony is a determined young man with a single-minded focus: to be a champion. His ambition stems not from his missing right leg, but from the desire for people to recognize his accomplishments rather than his disability. At every step, he has unwavering support from Judy Lopez, who never falters in her belief in her son, even amidst the challenges of her own tumultuous home life.

Despite his stellar high school wrestling career and multiple college scouts witnessing his victories, Anthony faces rejection from his preferred universities, including the University of Iowa, whose renowned Hawkeyes are highly esteemed in the sport. Both Judy and Anthony’s high school coach, Bobby Williams (Michael Peña), encourage him to accept the full four-year scholarship from Drexel University in Philadelphia, which is currently the only institution expressing interest. However, determined Anthony is reluctant due to Drexel having no significant NCAA wrestling reputation.

Due to his admiration for Williams, Coach Sean Charles at Arizona State consents to meet Anthony. However, he openly informs him that ASU already has a complete list of recruits competing for the wrestling team’s 33 spots, making it extremely difficult for Anthony to join the team as a walk-on (someone who doesn’t receive a scholarship). Yet, Anthony refuses to be discouraged.

At home, Anthony has grown up without his biological father, who’s been absent. He’s viewed as something of a hero by his four younger half-siblings, born after Judy started dating prison guard Rick (played by Bobby Cannavale). Anthony loves the kids but has a strained relationship with his stepfather, a domineering man whose authoritarian tendencies are evident when he lectures about life choices. However, Rick’s tough guy talk is exposed as hollow when it’s discovered that he’s failed the family in a significant way, potentially putting their home at risk. Moreover, Rick’s behavior towards Judy raises concerns for Anthony.

Goldenberg and the authors skillfully interweave Anthony’s home life with his struggles and triumphs at ASU. He puts in more effort than anyone else during tryouts and demonstrates remarkable tenacity during a challenging three-mile hike up a mountain, even though his crutches slip on the rough, stony trail. His perseverance catches Coach Charles’ attention, but it’s his indomitable spirit on the mats that ultimately secures him a place.

30-year-old Robles performs as a stand-in for wrestling sequences filmed in wide and medium shots, while Jerome steps in for close-ups and assumes full responsibility. The sports action is intense and appears incredibly authentic, the impact of body slams and flips potentially making viewers wince, yes, including myself.

Anthony faces several potential setbacks, particularly when Arizona State University temporarily discontinues its wrestling program. However, due to alumni donations, it’s reinstated, but with a smaller team. At this juncture, the unwavering support from his teammates becomes clear, and as Anthony begins to accumulate victories, he gains popularity among the spectators.

The movie might be criticized for tugging at heartstrings excessively during the scene where Coach Williams presents Judy with a package filled with letters from kids inspired by Anthony, urging her to read them and praising her for raising such a remarkable young man. Some of Coach Charles’ lines near the end of the film, admitting his inability to recognize Anthony’s talents, also powerfully emphasize a realization that has been hinted at through Cheadle’s moving and genuine portrayal.

However, any hints of emotional manipulation within the script are greatly outweighed by the profoundly moving human tale of Robles’ life. Alexandre Desplat’s beautiful score, which encompasses Ry Cooder-like guitars, soulful strings, and powerful piano movements, provides a soothing balance for this type of film. This could be because the authenticity of Anthony is strong enough to carry its own weight, requiring minimal overt musical enhancement.

The difference between Rick’s dominating demeanor and the solid backing provided by both coaches stands out significantly. Notably, Peña and Cheadle convincingly portray how their character’s roles demand equal parts motivation psychology and sports tactician expertise.

The primary connection, however, is the reciprocal protective bond shared between Anthony and his mother. Previously appearing in several lightweight Netflix films where she portrayed JLo in a frozen wilderness and JLo in space, Lopez delves deeper into her character here as Judy. Her performance is richly layered, showcasing pain, pride, self-disappointment, and eventually, surprising resilience and resourcefulness as she navigates the bank that holds their mortgage.

Some could contend that Judy appears quite stylish, considering she’s a mom of five who carefully clips coupons to make ends meet. However, Lopez delivers a touching and genuine portrayal of a mother whose unwavering faith in her son plays an integral role in his upbringing.

In his debut as the main character in a full-length film, Jerome – who notably portrayed the complex aspects of teenage Kevin, Chiron’s lover in Moonlight, and earned an Emmy for Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us – delivers an outstanding performance. His acting breathes life into the movie with a fierce, pulsating emotion as he plays a young man who remains sensitive yet resists being pigeonholed by others based on their perceptions of his supposed weaknesses.

In this biographical genre, the title itself reveals the story’s outcome. However, as Anthony becomes fixated on videos of the invincible wrestler set to face him in the championship match – and cringes at the boastful arrogance of his coach (Shawn Hatosy), who claims “At Iowa, second place is just as bad as last” – it’s difficult not to cheer for this character brimming with remarkable determination or be touched by his unwavering resilience.

Goldenberg stumbles over a short concluding segment meant to demonstrate the celebrations of Anthony’s accomplishments and their ongoing inspiration, which comes off as ordinary and superfluous. However, this small error doesn’t detract from the satisfaction derived from watching Unstoppable.

2024-09-07 10:55

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