FILM REVIEW

‘Champ’ a good example of what not to do

Character first seeks success, then forgiveness

Fathers are put under a great deal of pressure in today’s world. Before even considering the Biblical mandate to be the spiritual leader of a family, conventional fathers are occupied with the responsibilities of leading, providing for and being respected by their families.

Erik Kernan Jr., played by Josh Hartnett in “Resurrecting the Champ,” (Yari Film Group) feels all these pressures acutely. In the midst of a crumbling marriage, Hartnett falls into the sin of pursuing admiration from his son, wife, colleagues and the world in general above all else. It is not until he is stripped of every semblance of success that he is able to begin walking a path of redemption.

Kernan Jr. is an aspiring sportswriter trying to break out of his local Denver paper onto the national scene. He believes he has found his ticket to fame, success and professional respect when he finds “Champ” — a past boxing great believed to be dead. Champ, played by Samuel L. Jackson, is homeless, helpless and willing to befriend Kernan Jr.

As his story develops, Kernan Jr.’s professional life becomes a paradigm of conventional success. However, after publishing the story, it becomes clear to the public that Champ’s story was based on a lie. Kernan Jr.’s life quickly begins to crumble as everyone in his life feels the effects of his mindless ambition.

Blinded by the possibility of fame and fortune as an award-winning writer, Kernan Jr. had failed to validate every aspect of Champ’s story. His attachment to a successful career that could be buoyed by getting the scoop on the fallen boxer becomes Kernan Jr.’s idolatry.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to idolatry as honoring and revering a creature or thing in place of God. Kernan Jr. puts his career before his marriage and family, believing that success will fix his relationship with his wife and son.

His sincere efforts are unfortunately misguided as his idolatry hurts his wife, son, coworkers and his journalistic reputation.

At this point in the film, forgiveness comes to the fore. Kernan Jr. experiences a fall from greatness and, in the midst of his humiliation, it is his son’s unconditional love that allows him to seek forgiveness from those he injured.

Throughout the film Kernan Jr.’s greatest sin — defined in part as a perverse attachment to certain goods (CCC, #1849) — is the idolizing of his career. It is only by going through a hard fall from the graces of the conventional world that his values come into focus.

“Resurrecting the Champ” underscores the responsibility a father has to set a good example for his children. Multiple father-son relationships are brought into light, each offering a disconnect from which the audience can learn.

Although Jackson and Alan Alda, as Kernan Jr.’s boss, do a noteworthy acting job in “Resurrecting the Champ,” the rest of the performances hardly rise above mediocre. The general plotline is crowded with unexplored and unnecessary subplots. Technically the film does not merit praise.

“Resurrecting the Champ” is not a great movie, but it does impressively tell the story of a man who, after failing in his quest for greatness, finds truth and redemption. For adults and children mature enough to understand the story as a solid example of how not to live life, the film illustrates a few lessons below its shallow surface.

Rebecca Bostic is a regular contributor to The Catholic Sun. Comments are welcome. Send e-mail to letters@catholicsun.org.