It has almost gotten to the point where inspiring sports stories become a parody of themselves, so overrun is the genre with every conceivable variation. But with Unstoppable (not to be confused with the 2004 Wesley Snipes movie or the 2010 Denzel Washington one), you really can’t compare it to anything that has come before, either in terms of what the main subject has achieved in athletics or the obstacles he had to overcome at home.
Based on Anthony Robles autobiography, Unstoppable debuting director and Oscar winning editor (Argo) William Goldenberg and his team of screenwriters (Eric Champnella & Alex Harris and John HIndman) have accomplished is a nifty balancing act between the harrowing home life of Robles with an abusive step father and his extraordinary ability to succeed in wrestling despite the loss of one leg, an impairment with which he was born. I am not sure in watching this film what was harder to overcome but I am guessing it’s the domestic situation as his mother Judy (Jennifer Lopez in a dynamic screen turn) and him had to endure against all odds as his stepdad Rich (Bobby Cannavale) lays it on, not only putting him down but physically threatening actions that turn this film not just as a study in sports bravery but also surviving domestic abuse. For some viewers the situations depicted might be disturbing so beware, you have been warned.
At its heart though is a tale of triumph over physical adversity, even when it seemed most bleak in his first year competing for the wrestling championships. An athlete with just one leg going for the championship in regular, not special Olympics-style, competitions is wholly inspirational and Jerome (Emmy winner for When They See Us) is stunning not just in what is on screen but also the extensive training to make it all seem as authentic as it is. The real Anthony Robles in fact doubles for him in many scenes in order to make it as truthful as possible, but Jerome’s dedication is something to behold.
The story of Robles’ life is told in linear fashion interspersed with the almost insurmountable problems his stepfather causes for him. As Cannavale plays him, he is a proud man who has lost his job but not told his family. It goes downhill from there, not just in how he physically treats his stepson, but more horrifyingly in how he treats Judy his wife. The scenes of family abuse are hard to watch, not just visually, but also psychologically as Unstoppable also becomes a warning against domestic abuse and how far it can go if not stopped. It is destroying his family but that is not the side his wrestling fans see.
Jerome had the advantage of studying and spending much time with Robles. It pays off. He is impressive on the mat, as well as at home where he deals with an untenable situation with his uber supportive mother. Lopez is the other standout, not often given the credit she deserves and here giving her all right from the wry opening scenes where we see the love and pride this mother has for her son. She’s terrific. Also excellent, albeit in more brief screen time, are Don Cheadle as coach Sean Charles and Michael Pena as coach Bobby Williams. Cannavale does everything to keep Rich from being unsympathetic but the role drags him down toward one dimensional acting, great as this star is. We also just hate the character so much it is hard to give the actor playing him much praise.
Unstoppable is a strong entry in the inspiring sports drama genre, no matter how crowded, but its fate rests on the ability of our star, Jerome Jharrel, in making us root for him and to believe.
Producers are Ben Affleck, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Anthony Robles, David Crockett, Andy Fraser and Gary Lewis
Title: Unstoppable
Festival: Toronto
Director: William Goldenberg
Screenwriters: Eric Champnella & Alex Harris and John Hindman
Cast: Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer Lopez, Bobby Cannavale, Don Cheadle, Michael Pena
Distributor: Amazon MGM Studios
Rating: PG-13
Running time: 1 hr 53 mins
