Inspiring true sports tale of the one-legged underdog who became a collegiate wrestling champ
Unstoppable
Starring Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer Lopez and Bobby Cannavale
Directed by William Goldenberg
Rated PG-13
Available on Amazon Prime Thursday, Jan. 16
You don’t have to be a sports fan to stand up and cheer for this rousing true story about Anthony Robles, who became a champion wrestler despite what was considered the significant handicap—to most everyone but him—of being born with only one leg. Based on Robles’ own 2012 autobiography, it’s an inspiring, heart-tugging tale about a teenage athlete determined to work his way to the top, despite a mountain of odds stacked against him.
Jennifer Lopez gives a solid performance as Robles’ mom, Judy, the emotional anchor in a domestic storm stirred by Robles’ bullying stepdad (Bobby Cannavale) while young Anthony is vying for a place on the Arizona State U wrestling squad and holding down a sideline job, scrubbing private planes at the local airport.
Jharrel Jerome, who stars as Robles, has both his legs, requiring some nifty digital effects to make him look like he doesn’t—and some seamless stunt doubling by Robles himself, who’s now in his mid-30s. It’s amazing to see just on a technical level, because you’ll absolutely be convinced you’re watching, well, a man with only one leg. And you are, except when you’re not. Ah, the magic of the movies.
According to one sideline commentator at a tournament, Robles wrestles “like a boa constrictor,” sliding, slithering, pouncing and squeezing his two-legged opponents. Even if you don’t know your pins from your takedowns, you’ll be amazing at the movie’s realistic depiction of the grappling, rough-and-tumble matches. And you can’t miss the overtones from another cinematic tale of an underdog when Robles’ visit for a match takes him up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and into the same exact spot as Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa in Rocky, nearly half a century ago.
The solid supporting cast also includes Don Cheadle and Michael Peña as coaches, and Shawn Hatosy as Roble’s most formidable rival, the intimidating Tom Brand from the wrestling powerhouse of Iowa State University.
“You make people believe in something,” Robles’ mom tells him as her son’s will to win and overcome creates a growing wave of support far and wide, fans of all ages who cheer him on. “You’re unstoppable.”
You’ll believe, too, in the message of this true-life sports drama with a smear or two of blood, copious amounts of sweat and even some tears. And if you really want your eyes to get moist, stay for the credits, where you’ll learn about Robles’ amazing achievements that continued after the events depicted in the film, as well his mother’s own triumphant, uplifting coda.
—Neil Pond
The Media Tourist 