This is the never-give-up story of an athletic boy born with one leg who overcame huge obstacles to become an undefeated NCAA championship wrestler. Jennifer Lopez and Bobby Cannavale star as his dedicated mother, Judy,(also known as Mama Bear), and as his abusive step-father, Rick. Don Cheadle plays Robles’ Arizona State University Coach and Michael Peña is Anthony’s high school coach.
This well-worn theme, but Director William Goldenberg does a good job adapting the book written by Anthony Robles with Austin Murphy. Jharrel Jerome plays Robles showing the trials and tribulations the wrestler went through from childhood on, following his dream. Goldenberg is known for his film editing on quality films including Argo, Zero Dark Thirty, Air, and Unbroken and this is his directorial debut.
Watch our interview with Jharrel Jerome and Anthony Robles talking about training and working with Jennifer Lopez and Bobby Cannavale at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival.
Robles actually helped Jerome train for the choreography and became his stunt double for the grueling wrestling scenes they rehearsed together. Jerome painfully learned to how to use crutches, then how to wrestle Robles style.He also had to go through his paces, concentrating on only using one leg while his own leg was either hidden or to be digitally removed.
At the same time, Jerome had to work with a diction coach to lose his broad Bronx accent, incorporating Robles’ Arizona flat speech patterns. Screenwriters Eric Champnella, Alex Harris and John Hindman created a worthy script, keeping it real, without becoming over melodramatic.
Jennifer Lopez became involved and even gave notes after reading the script in her role after giving birth to Anthony as a teen. She went to work, remarried and had 4 more kids with Rick (Cannavale) who plays it tough as the kind of Step-Dad who was never supportive to Anthony. Rick is prison guard with very rough edges and mean to his Mom, especially whenever she came to Anthony’s defense.
Anthony wanted to be a wrestler so much, he worked hard cleaning private jets, hopping up and down the wing to buildup physically so he could make money to help his Mom. Whenever he was in the ring, Mama Bear would yell loud so Anthony could hear her over the taunts against this one-legged wrestler, as a signal to fight.
There are two scenes that stand out in this film. During ASU Hell Week, Coach Shawn Charles has the Wresting team run up a super steep rocky hill for practice. No one thought Anthony would even try. But when he shows up on top, their surprise reaction brings the team together.
The other is when Mom, Judy, receives a box of letters from elementary school kids giving Anthony praise as an inspiring example. That made him even more determined to go after the NCAA championship. That match is hard to watch but you’ll be pulling with him all the way. Now Robles is a wrestling coach himself, has been a commentator for ESPN and is a motivational speaker inspiring others.
Jerome and Jennifer Lopez bond playing mother and son in a film that’s truly an inspiration for all aspiring athletes. William Goldenberg keeps it real with a tight hold on the script and in the ring.
Amazon MGM Studios. 1 hour 56 minutes. PG-13
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