The Hammer

2011

The Hammer

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77%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 393
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Movie Info

Inspired by the life of deaf UFC fighter, Matt Hamill. The Hammer tells the story of what it takes to be a champion, on and off the mat. The Hammer is a coming of age drama depicting the struggles and successes of what it takes to become a champion. Raised among those with the ability to hear, Matt later finds himself no less an outsider amidst the Deaf Community. But through sheer determination, he uses his 'perceived' disability as an asset, and becomes not only the first deaf wrestler to win a National Collegiate Championship, but an inspirational force to both hearing and deaf alike. -- (C) Official Site

Cast

Russell Harvard
as Matt Hamill
Raymond J. Barry
as Stanley Leroy McCoy
Shoshannah Stern
as Kristi Jones
Michael Anthony Spady
as Jay Jakubowski
Courtney Halverson
as Michelle
Susan Gibney
as Janet Hamill
Joseph McKelheer
as Ron Gross
Eben Kostbar
as Coach Cantrell
Rich Franklin
as Coach Pruitt
Gavin Bellour
as Pat Hamill
Stephen Dodd
as Coach Rich
Theodore Conley
as Young Matt Hamill
Anthony Traina
as Nick
Lexi Marman
as Kelly
Cory Knauf
as Dale
Kara Luiz
as Vivian
Lauren Fox
as Dr. Hoffman
Bob Hiltermann
as Purdue Professor
Sara Fletcher
as Rachel the Interpreter
Gabe Stolt
as Jason Sloan
Rocky Abou-Sakher
as Mechanic Daniel
Matthew Dickens
as Mechanic Mikey
James Tristan Moore
as Angry Teen
Will Kurz
as Young Pat Hamill
Trevor Gross
as Martin
Lilly Hisenaj
as Special Needs Teacher
Avi Rothman
as Chad the R.A.
Craig Robert Young
as Sloan's Coach
Jason Bovenzi
as Referee
Paul Burress
as Healdsburg Coach
Stan Main
as Announcer
Christopher Marvin
as Rezac
Cody Goodfried
as Derrick Logan
Andrew Grillo
as Eli
Scott J. Klein
as Harold Russell
Christine A. Klein
as Marge Russell
Timothy D. Klein
as Janitor
Jill Burress
as Featured Pretty Jogger
Brian Lantry
as Bully #1
Tyler Gross
as Bully #2
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Critic Reviews for The Hammer

All Critics (3) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (1) | Rotten (2)

  • "The Hammer" never quite brings the pain, in the parlance of pro wrestling, leaving the film feeling heartfelt but flat.

    Oct 26, 2011 | Rating: 2.5/5 | Full Review…

    Mark Olsen

    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic

  • Cleaving to the sports-as-salvation playbook with more fastidiousness than creativity, "The Hammer" offers a sincere but wearyingly formulaic portrait of triumph over adversity.

    Oct 26, 2011 | Rating: 2.5/5

    Jeannette Catsoulis

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • Overall this is a gentle and fascinating alternative to your typical noisy big-screen blockbuster.

    Oct 26, 2011 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Doug Knoop

    Seattle Times
    Top Critic
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Audience Reviews for The Hammer

  • Oct 16, 2012
    I love a good biodrama. This one is about the life, and struggles, of the deaf UFC fighter Matt Hamill (The Hammer). It focuses primarily on his high school/college wrestling years. I was hoping that it would show more about the UFC experience, but that is barely touched upon. The story, though, is very well done, and I found myself really being touched by all he had to work through. I did find it funny that they changed the race of his best college fellow wrestling buddy (Jay). He is a white guy being played by a black guy....interesting concept. But still a good film....
    Cynthia S Super Reviewer
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