'Unstoppable' Review: Jharrel Jerome Tackles a Fine Performance in an Otherwise Generic Sports Drama
Sports dramas, mostly biopics, often come in similar packages. But a sports flick is only as good as the lead's performance. So it's not surprising that Jharrel Jerome, who never half-assed a performance, pins down another winning role as one-legged wrestler Anthony Robles in editor-turned-filmmaker William Goldenberg’s directorial debut Unstoppable. Despite the formulaic mediocrity it's shrouded in, Jerome's depiction of resilience and determination elevates the quality of a rather "just fine" sports drama.
Image copyright (©) Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios
PG13: Some strong language and thematic material.
Runtime: 1 Hr and 56 Minutes
Production Companies: A Really Good Home Pictures, Artists Equity, Nuyorican Productions, Seven Bucks Productions
Distributor: Amazon MGM Studios
Director: William Goldenberg
Writers: Eric Champnella, Alex Harris, John Hindman
Cast: Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer Lopez, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Don Cheadle
Release Date: December 2024
One-legged Arizonian teen Anthony Robles kicks ass in wrestling. During his senior year at Mesa High School, he travels with his coach Bobby (Michael Peña), and supportive working-class mother Judy (Jennifer Lopez) to compete in championships. Regardless of his success in the ring, no colleges – including his dream school, Iowa State – are willing to offer him a scholarship. Meanwhile, at home, Anthony cares for his numerous younger siblings, contending with his alcoholic stepfather Rick (Bobby Cannavale), who only instills his toxic masculinity ideologies as Judy misses his red flags through her rose-colored glasses. When Anthony goes to Arizona State University, Coach Shawn Charles (Don Cheadle) accepts him as a walk-on on their team. Under this new mentor, Robles goes through intense challenges at school and home to prove his worth.
Jharrel Jerome brims with grit, passion, and determination, shaping Unstoppable's fiery spirit. He conveys Anthony’s agonizing struggle with every telling expression (thanks to those big bug eyes), especially his hatred towards Rick. Given that Jerome is an able-bodied actor – and no, he didn't go full method – he wears a green-colored garment around his leg so VFX artists could digitally remove it. Nevertheless, Jerome goes the extra mile with movement, mainly hopping around when not using crutches, and convincingly portraying Robles' physical condition. When Jerome taps out, the real Anthony Robles taps in as he provides his own stunts during wrestling sequences, as if Robles is reliving his college glory days.
William Goldenberg, the editor of Ben Affleck's Argo and Air, steps outside the editing bay and behind the camera, demonstrating his proficiency. His skill set is evident in the wrestling matching sequences, which are meticulously shot and tightly edited, capturing the exhilaration and fierceness of being in the arena.
Jennifer Lopez, Michael Peña, and Don Cheadle are all good supporting cast members, but Bobby Cannavale is the star of the show. He's an intimidating presence as Rick, a type-A asshole stepdad. You hate him because he single-handedly brings this seemingly happy family down with his aggressive ideology on what a man is. Cannavale is the only actor not operating on "ABC after-school special" mode as his fellow cast members are, so it's a jolt to the system in investment and tonal change whenever he's onscreen. Plus, it's funny how one of the few refreshing aspects of Unstoppable is Robles’ lack of a college rival, yet his adversary is his cop stepdad.
It shouldn't take three dudes to install a lightbulb, or in Unstoppable's case, three screenwriters – Eric Champnella, Alex Harris, and John Hindman – to pen a by-the-numbers sports drama. Their script indulges in hitting every formulaic rags-to-riches cliché possible, designed to make you cheer after drowning in melodrama. You can feel Unstoppable trying to cram in as many details from Robles' autobiography, like thankless scenes of him working as a window cleaner at an airport, which amounts to nothing, or his mom, Judy, working numerous jobs to put food on the table. I don't want to downplay Robles' experience, but compared to other films of the same genre, it's aggressive at highlighting how poor the family is.
The sports formula coming-of-age function hits all the story beats, only heightened by Jerome's portrayal. But when the focus shifts to Judy, she makes the movie feel like a Lifetime drama. Since you can’t waste a Jennifer Lopez performance, Unstoppable provides her with a subplot concerning the 2008 economic crash and how real estate companies attempt to deceive Judy into eviction, continuing the Lopez vs. Wall Street beef streak after Hustlers. Needless to say, it pads out the runtime and makes the film unfocused.
Despite its well-meaning intentions, Unstoppable is a sports drama as generic as its title. However, Jharrel Jerome's triumphant performance is worth a viewing.
Rating: 2.5/5 | 55%
