AGAINST THE ROPES (2004) 1 1/2 out of 4 stars. Starring Meg Ryan, Omar Epps, Charles S. Dutton, Tony Shalhoub, Tim Daly, Kerry Washington and Joe Cortese. Written by Cheryl Edwards. Directed by Charles S. Dutton. Rated PG-13. Running time: Approx: 110 mins.


Consider it apropos that Against the Ropes takes place in the world of boxing since it purports to be a battle of the sexes empowerment story.

A fictionalized drama Inspired by the life of Jackie Kallen, one of boxing’s first female managers, the movie fixes the fight in Jackie’s favor by presenting most of the men she encounters in the boxing world as boorish Neanderthals.

If Against the Ropes was a boxer, it definitely would be a lightweight. The movie spends more time displaying Jackie as a publicity-hungry celebrity wannabe, than as a boxing manager.

Most of the pugilistic work is handled by Charles S. Dutton as Felix, the wily veteran trainer and Omar Epps as Luther Shaw, the up-and-coming fighter whom Jackie grooms into a champion.

And that is one of the film’s biggest problems. Its protagonists are more archetypes than real people.

Clichés abound, from the initial antagonism between Jackie and her fighter, Luther, to the hate-at-first-sight relationship between Luther and his trainer, Felix.

As Jackie, Meg Ryan continually spouts off about her love of boxing, but it seems she spends more time in the clothing store picking out new, flashy wardrobes than in the gym, helping develop her boxer.

Neither the screenplay by Cheryl Edwards nor the direction by Dutton delves very deeply into its characters complexities. We get surface material only.

Jackie, whose father was a trainer and uncle was a boxer, grew up loving the sport, and her confidence about her knowledge of the sport knows no bounds. Yet rarely are we allowed to see that understanding.

Epps’ Shaw remains a composite, a symbol of all the boxers Kallen managed. We don’t really know what drives him to fight, except that he has a quick temper.

The very talented Tony Shalhoub is saddled with the most thankless role, that of the cretinous fight promoter-manager who continually bedevils and belittles Jackie, for no other reason than he is a sexist pig.

Not everything is wrong with Against the Ropes. The boxing scenes are handled very well. You can almost feel the punches. And the lack of any romance involving Jackie also scores points in the movie’s favor.

But Against the Ropes lacks zip and zing. No flash, no pizzazz. It strives to be the Erin Brockovich of pugilism and instead winds up as Rocky IV.

Bob Bloom is the film critic at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, Ind. He can be reached by e-mail at bbloom@journalandcourier.com or at bob@bloomink.com. Bloom's reviews also can be found at the Journal and Courier Web site: www.jconline.com
Other reviews by Bloom can be found at the Rottentomatoes Web site: www.rottentomatoes.com or at the Internet Movie Database Web site: www.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Bob+Bloom