Jharrel Jerome (Anthony Robles) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
‘Unstoppable’ receives 5.5 out of 10 stars.
Opening in theaters on December 6th before arriving on Prime Video January 16th, ‘Unstoppable’ is just the latest challenger to enter the ring of sports biopics that take inspirational stories of overcoming big challenges with a charismatic real-life figure at their heart.
Unfortunately in this case, the movie also comes burdened with the sort of factory-tooled reverence and seen-them-all-before beats, never quite overcoming that baseline feel.
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Will ‘Unstoppable’ wrestle your attention?
Jharrel Jerome (Anthony Robles) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
Anthony Robles’ story is certainly one worthy of the biopic treatment –– a young sportsman who already overcame the challenges of being born with just one leg, who applies himself with determination and grace to a difficult sporting arena.
And his is also one of personal struggles, facing a difficult step-father and a family forever in financial poor straights barely kept together by their passionate mother. Trouble is, it’s a story we’ve seen and heard many times before and to stand out from the crowd, it has to receive truly special, thoughtful treatment.
In ‘Unstoppables’ case it feels more like the filmmakers took the very basic formula, slapped on the standard reverent music and homilies from characters around Anthony, and said, “will that do?”
It does at least boast two big advantages in the committed performances from stars Jharrel Jerome and Jennifer Lopez.
Script and Direction
(L to R) William Goldenberg (Director) and Jennifer Lopez (Judy Robles) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
It took three screenwriters –– Eric Champnella, Alex Harris and John Hindman to adapt Robles’ book ‘Unstoppable: From Underdog To Undefeated: How I Became A Champion,’ written with Austin Murphy. It’s perhaps not surprising that the movie has been through a couple of different variations, but you’d somehow hope that with different people working on it, there might have been some more invention handed down during that process.
Which is not to say ‘Unstoppable’ has a bad screenplay, it’s simply a painfully straightforward one. Though we’re not expecting the wild invention of, say, ‘Better Man’ (in which British musician Robbie Williams’ life is brought to life via a CG chimp), ‘Unstoppable’ is simply a very pedestrian telling of the tale.
And despite an impactful central story, it feels the need to invent extra drama, such as a shutdown of the Arizona State wrestling program that in reality lasted for a much shorter time than the months shown here.
Director William Goldenberg has mostly worked as an editor on movies such as ‘Argo’ and ‘Heat,’ but his helming debut carries little of the energy of the films he has contributed to in the past. Again, it’s not a badly made film, just a very average one.
‘Unstoppable’: Performances
Jharrel Jerome and Jennifer Lopez are the shining stars of this one, largely carrying the film, though a talented supporting cast does what they can with basic roles.
Jharrel Jerome as Anthony Robles
Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
Jerome is excellent here as Anthony, bringing the full force of the real-life athlete’s drive to the screen. He’s got real power, both in the wrestling ring (those scenes are certainly helped by the actual Robles standing in during most of those scenes to make sure the sport comes across accurately) and he also shines in the domestic scenes.
Jennifer Lopez as Judy Robles
(L to R) Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) and Jennifer Lopez (Judy Robles) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
Robles’ caring dedicated and spirited mother is the other key role in the movie, and Lopez gives it her all, whether dealing with her mercurial, unstable husband or fighting back against the predatory banks who control her home’s mortgage. Lopez is better here than in some other recent movies, handed more to chew on.
Bobby Cannavale as Rick Robles
(L to R) Jharrel Jerome (Anthony Robles) and Bobby Cannavale (Rick Robles) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
Rick, Anthony’s stepfather (who in one particularly passive-aggressively cruel moment reminds the young Anthony of that fact that he’s not his real dad) is a boorish prison warden, who is as unreliable as he is outspoken.
Cannavale does what he can with the part, but there’s not much meat on that bonehead.
Don Cheadle as Coach Shawn Charles
Don Cheadle (Coach Shawn Charles) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
As the coach at Arizona State, Cheadle’s character is mostly a collection of encouraging catchphrase and wise lessons about life. While this isn’t The Coach Charles Story, you do wish the film could have found one other layer to offer, though it does give him a solid moment when he admits the wrestling program has been ditched, the rest of his scenes you could probably write having not seen the movie.
Michael Peña as Coach Williams
Michael Peña in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
Peña, if anything, has even less to do than Cheadle, with just a few scenes in which to make an impact.
Final Thoughts
Jennifer Lopez (Judy Robles) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
‘Unstoppable’ is a perfectly meritorious film with a superb real-life story at its core. It’s just that while the movie wouldn’t exist without Robles’ impactful story, it still comes across looking like 20 other sports biopics.
Between this and ‘The Fire Inside’ it might be time for inspirational sports dramas to hit the benches for now.
What is the plot of ‘Unstoppable’?
With the unwavering love and support of his devoted mother Judy (Jennifer Lopez) and the encouragement of his coaches, Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) fights through adversity to earn a spot on the Arizona State Wrestling team. But it will demand everything he has, physically and mentally, to achieve his ultimate quest to become an NCAA Champion.
Who is in the cast of ‘Unstoppable’?
- Jharrel Jerome as Anthony Robles
- Jennifer Lopez as Judy Robles
- Bobby Cannavale as Rich
- Michael Peña as Bobby Williams
- Don Cheadle as Sean Charles
- Shawn Hatosy as Tom Brands
(Left) Jharrel Jerome (Anthony Robles) in ‘Unstoppable’. Photo Credit: Ana Carballosa/Prime Video.
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