Movie Monitor: Against the Ropes

Against the Ropes

2004 Comedy

Charles S. Dutton's feature-length directorial debut Against the Ropes is based on the real-life story of Jackie Kallen, a Jewish woman from Detroit who became a successful boxing manager. Played by Meg Ryan, Kallen works her way up in the world of boxing by believing in the fighting skills of Luther Shaw (Omar Epps). Director Dutton appears as veteran trainer Felix Reynolds, whom Kallen encourages to come out of retirement.

Director: Charles S. Dutton

Starring: Meg Ryan, Omar Epps,Charles S. Dutton, Tony Shalhoub, Tim Daly

40 Reviews

Reviews

Against the Ropes meanders until it gets to the final third of its running time, and then it catches fire.

Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

29 November 2012
Some of the performances show flashes of idiosyncrasy and flair that are nearly snuffed out by the pedestrian script.

Dana Stevens - The New York Times

29 November 2012
By the end, everything that was initially serious about the film becomes silly and everything appealing about it turns sour.

Mick LaSalle - The San Francisco Chronicle

29 November 2012
Though the movie is more mediocre than abysmal, Ryan's recently banged-up filmography (remember In the Cut) could use what every fighter needs at ringside: a good cut man to stop the bleeding.

Mike Clark - USA Today

29 November 2012
If they had to make things up, couldn't they have made up something smarter?

Kenneth Turan - Los Angeles Times

29 November 2012

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