"What makes this movie truly enjoyable is the way it shows how two lost souls join together to fight the good fight." Diana Saenger REELTALK MOVIE REVIEWS "Far from a championship movie, but it's fun while it lasts." Philip Wuntch DALLAS MORNING NEWS "The great thing about sports movies is it doesn’t really matter that they’re all the same." Fred Topel ABOUT.COM "A punch-drunk combination of pugilistic hokum and feminist empowerment fantasy." Frank Swietek ONE GUY'S OPINION "It's an interesting, character-driven film, the story of a woman who has a fight on her hands when it comes to her chosen career." Sue Pierman MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL

"While Ryan's performance has the proper blend of confidence and cleavage, the movie succeeds only in producing more fight flick cliches than a Rocky movie marathon." John Monaghan DETROIT FREE PRESS "Given a real character to play, and one within her range, Ryan delivers a real performance, and a really likable one, in this sassy-but-not-edgy boxing picture." Roger Moore ORLANDO SENTINEL "Ryan is clearly enjoying herself. She adroitly maneuvers her trademark cuteness into a kind of oblivious brashness -- a curious mix of brassy and brave." Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION "This fictionalized tale is less interesting than the real story but tells a decent story of a person beating the odds." Michael Elliott MOVIE PARABLES "Offers some entertaining punches, but ultimately goes down on a split decision." Jack Garner ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE

At A Glance

"Somewhere along the way, I found myself enjoying Against the Ropes, not in spite of my better judgment, but because something in the movie defies the whole notion of better judgment altogether." Stephanie Zacharek SALON.COM

I guess we can all think of some pretty tough areas in which women have taken on their male counterparts, but can you think of any tougher than the professional boxing world? "Against The Ropes" is a film loosely [and I emphisize loosely] based on the real life story of one Jackie Kallen who, after interviewing six time world boxing champion Thomas "The Hit Man" Hearns quit her job, became his publicist and nearly a decade later in 1988 began managing boxers. One of her first charges James Toney became a champion within three years of signing with her. Since then Kallen has become a shining star for women all over the world, although many 'down under' most probably [like me] won't have heard the name before. "Against The Ropes" will surely change all that! So just who is Jackie Kallen? Jackies story begins in the mid 1960's when she chose journalism as a career. By the end of the 1970's Jackie was married, had two children, was a highly respected sportswriter, had established her own public relations company and, had signed Thomas Hearns as a client. In 1988 she decided it was time to take the biggest step in her life. It was a decision which would set her on a collision course with the male hierarchy who dominated the sport of professional boxing. Jackie Callen decided to manage her own boxers. It msu be remembered that around this time the biggest role women were seen to have was strutting their stuff at boxing bouts in sexy bikini's holding up the round cards for the male dominated audiences. Jackie says that the initial problem she faced was one of perception in "a bastion of masculinity and chauvinism full of scotch, cigars, tough guys and tough talk." She recalls, "most of them never thought I could possibly manage a fighter; they just assumed I was someones girlfriend." And that perception was far removed from the real facts,as I discovered. In fact Kallen says she was busy "negotiating contracts, hiring sparring partners, looking for trainers, teaching my fighters how to give interviews and writing press kits." Just like any other manager. The difference was Kallen did it "without anyone believing in me", she says. What kept her going was her exceptional self belief and the spirit within her. "No one could figure out why a woman would want to be around all these big, sweaty, sometimes angry, sometimes prison bound me," says Kallen. "What I was doing wasn't what was expected from a white Jewish woman from the suburbs." So what was it that kept the spirit burning bright and the enthusiasm high? "I loved my fighters," she said. "I loved the sport and I loved the challenge of helping young men realize their dreams." The big question most want answered is did Jackie love the film? In an interview with Eagle Tribune staff writer Rosemary Ford, Kallen admitted that there was a lot of dramatic licence used in the film. "There is so much of my life that is not in there, but this is a 111 minute movie with three acts," said Kallen. "When you are doing a lot of things, you would like to see it all represented in the movie." Producer Robert W Cort gave this insight into why the film is in many ways very different to the real story. "We all knew this was not going to be a biographical film," he said. Adding, "Some of the details of Jackie's life may have been altered, but certainly none of her spirit has been diminished. I think we captured her most distinct quality." And that is? "Unadulterated bravura," he says. One question I wanted answered after seeing the film was what did Jackie Kallen think of Meg Ryan's portrayal of her. In particular the way the film's Jackie places herself and her career above that of her boxer. "If everything was too perfect and everything I did was absolutely right, where is the story?," she told Ford. "I don't think I was ever really that bad. In order to make the movie interesting to the person watching it, you have to have that kind of story arch." Kallen is full of praise for the effort Meg Ryan went to in preparing for the lead role. Ryan hung out with Kallen for a year. "I did a lot of research before we started shooting. I read as much about boxing as I possibly could and I hung out with Jackie Kallen quite a bit," Ryan admits. "I give Meg a lot of credit for putting so much heart and soul and time into researching her role," says Kallen. "She went into gyms with me and watched the guys train. I let her borrow all of my scrapbooks, diaries and pictures to help her visualize everything." Ryan even took boxing lessons. Something she can laugh about, admiting "I was just terrible at it." But Kallen gives her plenty of credit for putting in the hard yards saying "She really worked so hard, God bless her." The big question in my mind was what did the attractive mother of two and grandmother of two boys think of some of the outfits worn by Ryan in "Against The Ropes"? "I never dressed like that," said Kallen. "My sons would never let me out of the house like that." Kallen admits though, that overall she likes the way the film has turned out. She has a cameo role in the film and worked as an associate producer. These days Kallen is in big demand as a motivational speaker; is involved with charities supporting Women's Shelters in the Los Angeles area; still manages boxers and has found time to write a book titled "Hit Me with Your Best Shot: A Fight Plan for Dealing with All of Life’s Hard Knocks." As for having a film made about here life and appearing in it too,Kallen says; "When I started my career as a journalist interviewing boxers, I never could have dreamed that years later I would be doing the same thing in a movie inspired by my life. Working on the film was an honour." Crew Bytes "Against The Ropes" was .......
directed by Charles S Dutton ["Mama Black Widow"]; screenplay by Cheryl Edwards ["Save the Last Dance"]; costume design by Ruth Carter ["Clockers", "Shaft", "Malcolm X", "Amistad", "Dr Doolittle 2" and "Daddy Day Care"]; production design by two time Genie Award winner Sandra Kybartas ["Booty Call", "Soul Survivor", "Camilla" and "Zero Patience"]; edited by Eric L Beason ["Reds", "For The Love of the Game", "Unforgettable" and "The Rookie"]; director of photography Jack N Green ASC ["Space Cowboys", "True Crime", "The Bridges of Madison County" and "Girl Interrupted"]; original music composed by the late founder of the Mr Holland's Opus Foundation Michael Kamen ["The Last Boy Scout", "Highlander", "Mr Holland's Opus", "Frequency" and "X-Men"]. "Against The Ropes" was produced by Emmy Award winner Robert W Cort ["Three Men and a Baby", "Outrageous Fortune", "Jumanji", "Runaway Bride" and "Save The Last Dance"] and David Madden ["Renegades", "Jersey Girl", "The Odd Couple II", "The Out-of-Towners" and "Save The Last Dance"]. Casting About "Against The Ropes " stars .......
Meg Ryan [You've Got Mail", "Proof of Life", Hurlyburly", "Kate & Leopold" and "In The Cut"]; Charles S Dutton ["Cookie's Fortune", "Random Hearts", "D-Tox" and "Gothika"]; Omar Epps ["The Wood", "Juice", "Major Leauge 2", "Scream 2" and "Conviction"]; Tim Daly ["Diner" and "Basic"]; Kerry Washington ["The Human Stain", "Bad Company", "Lift" and "Save The Last Dance"]; Joe Cortese ["Malevolence", "The Death Collector", "Monsignor" and "Ruby"]; Sean Bell ["The Contract", "The Uncles" and "Bulletproof Monk"]; Dean McDermott ["A Cool, Dry Place", "Bone Daddy", "Picture Claire" and "Open Range"]; Juan Hernandez ["In America"]; Gene Mack ["Police Academy", "Renegades", "Guilty as Sin" and "Mercy"]; Skye McCole Bartusiak ["The Cider House Rules", "The Prophet's Game", "The Patriot", "Don't Say A Word" and "Riding in Cars with Boys"] and Golden Globe Winner Tony Shalhoub ["Galaxy Quest", "Gattaca", "Men In Black I & II", "13 Ghosts" and "The Man Who Wasn't There"] as Sam LaRocca. The Story

"Omar Epps, sporting a great physique and aggressive acting chops, opens up the ring bringing heart and drama to an intro that hadn't much more to offer than big names." Ross Anthony HOLLYWOOD REPORT CARD

Jackie Kallen is about to face a big challenge. Put up or shut up. Sick of being treated as a bimbo she's told Midwest boxing kingpin Sam LaRocca what she really thinks is the reason behind his fighter Devon Greene copping a real belting in his losing fight. No problem. If Jackie believes she can do a better job, she can have Greene's contract for one dollar. LaRocca thinks he has her, until Jackies friend and local TV sportscaster Gavin Reese hands her a one dollar note. Jackie Kallen has a fighter and a fight on her hands. While visiting Greene's home she discovers his weakness. He's a crackhead. But luck is on her side when she meets Luther Shaw, an enforcer for the local drug dealer. He gives Greene a real hiding. Jackie realizes immediately his potential. The big question is can she harness it. With nothing to lose, she signs him up and puts him in the hands of Felix Reynolds, a veteran trainer she has coaxed out of retirement. It's one thing to have a fighter. But it's another thing trying to get him a fight. Jackies determined to do just that. The Verdict "Overall, even for those obvious differences, "Against The Ropes" provides many entertaining moments. Kallen's struggle against the male dominated fight industry will appeal to wowen of all ages while the guys can tag along and enjoy some great fight scenes which are obviously inspired by films such as the classic struggles in "Rocky". "Against The Ropes" will have viewers riding the emotional highs and lows while ducking and dodging some big punches. Worth a look at." The Cast

Meg Ryan Omar Epps Charles S Dutton Tony Shalhoub Tim Daly Joe Cortese Kerry Washington Sean Bell Dean McDermott Skye McCole Bartusiak Juan Hernandez Holt McCallany Tory Kittles Gene Mack Beau Starr Jared Durand Diego Fuentes Angelo Tucci Reg Dreger Arturo Fresolone James Jardine Big Daddy Wayne Jackie Kallen

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Jackie Kallen Luther Shaw Felix Reynolds LaRocca Gavin Abel Renee Ray Kallen Pete Kallen Little Jackie Pedro Hernandez Dorsett Devon Green Kevin Keyes Corcoran Young Crisco Car Attendant Rex Lonnie Hernandez' Manager Ring Announcer Stormy Sports Reporter

The Crew Directed by Charles S Dutton Loosely based on the true life story of Jackie Kallen Written by Cheryl Edwards Produced by Robert W Cort & David Madden Associate Producer Jackie Kallen Executive Producers Scarlett Lacey/Jonathan Pillot & Steven Roffer Original Music by Michael Kamen Cinematography by Jack N Green Film Editing by Eric L Beason & Paul Covington Casting by Tina Gerussi & Avy Kaufman Production Design by Sandra Kybartas Art Direction by Armando Sgrignuoli Set Decoration by Steven Essam Costume Design by Ruth E Carter Run Time 111 minutes Rated M15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2004 - Paramount Pictures - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2004 - Impact Internet Services & The Movie Pages- All Rights Reserved