MOVIE REVIEW:

Unstoppable

by Anwaya Mane

Cast: Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer Lopez, Don Cheadle, Michael Peña and Bobby Cannavale // Screenplay By: Eric Champnella, Alex Harris and John Hindman // Directed By: William Goldenberg

 

An earnest and empowering hagiography of Anthony Robles.

"I look at you and I see two men: the man you are, and the man you ought to be. Someday those two will meet. Should make for a hell of a football player," says Jimmy McGinty (Charles S. Dutton) to Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) in the 1993 film Rudy. Interestingly, Rudy is based on the true story of Rudy Ruettiger, a determined young man from a working-class background who dreams of playing football for the renowned University of Notre Dame—similar to the journey of our protagonist, Anthony Robles.

Based on the true, inspiring journey of a real-life sporting legend, the film follows the story of Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome), an American wrestler born with one leg for reasons unknown, but who possesses incredible athletic talent, grit, unwavering spirit, and a passion to overcome all odds. He rises to become one of the nation’s most celebrated wrestlers and sporting heroes. With the unconditional love and support of his single mother, Judy (Jennifer Lopez), his siblings, and his coaches, he strives to conquer every obstacle and emerge as a true champion and hero.

Sports biopics make for a fascinating and safe choice for a film subject – by centering on a celebrated hero, the main protagonist of your story, you can easily draw in audiences and craft a two-hour film that feels like a long motivational video, ensuring a winning formula.

Like most sports biopics, Unstoppable follows a predictable pattern. We have our gifted protagonist, a particular sport they are determined to master, a challenging family situation or hardship they must conquer, a coach or mentor who has unwavering faith in the protagonist's talent and encourages them despite all odds, a bunch of training montages, and a few detractors whose role is to fuel our young aspirant's ambitions and eventual victory against all odds. 

However, this is where Unstoppable's beauty lies: in its unbridled honesty, humility, and commitment to staying true to its roots. The film offers a solid portrait of grit, determination, and integrity, much like the protagonist it is based on.

The film begins with Anthony winning a local tournament. But he soon realizes that his more privileged opponent is still being favored for scholarships. This moment makes Robles realize that this victory alone isn’t enough; he must aim higher to truly change his fortunes and improve his family's situation. Anthony lives with his strong and kind mother, Ruby Lopez), an abusive stepfather Rich (Bobby Cannavale), and his adorable younger siblings. His mother and siblings are supportive of his wrestling ambitions, despite lacking the means to fund his potential sporting career. His stepfather, on the other hand, is abusive, arrogant, and dismissive of Anthony's talent.

Anthony decides to attend Arizona State University over Drexel University to stay closer to his family and further pursue his wrestling ambitions. The film alternates between his troubled home life and his flourishing career as a rookie athlete. As Robles' home situation continues to deteriorate, he pours blood, sweat, and tears into his training, pushing himself rigorously to qualify for the NCAA Wrestling Championships.

In his senior year, Robles reaches the 2011 NCAA Wrestling Championships, and as expected, he secures the championship title against a highly skilled, able-bodied fan-favorite opponent. This isn't a spoiler, but it's something we've seen coming from a distance. What stands out in Anthony's journey is that the film doesn’t rely on emotional manipulation to portray his struggles. 

Instead, it takes an almost coming-of-age, heartfelt approach with an indie sensibility, presenting the hagiographical story without unnecessary melodrama, theatrics, or overt sentimentality.

Unstoppable focuses on Robles' journey to the top rather than simply listing his achievements. The film carries a quiet energy, almost like a subtle whisper of determination and perseverance, in contrast to the typical chest-thumping montages of motivation.

Jharrel Jerome delivers a subtle yet powerful performance as Anthony Robles, capturing the quiet resolve and determination of the champion athlete. Jennifer Lopez is perfectly cast as Judy, Robles' strong and supportive mother, providing the encouragement he needs. Don Cheadle shines as Sean Charles, and Michael Peña is excellent as Bobby Williams (Robles' head coach). Bobby Cannavale also delivers a solid performance as Rich, Robles' abusive stepfather, serving as the essential antagonist that fuels his sporting ambitions.

However, Unstoppable isn't without its flaws. At 123 minutes, the film feels a bit too long and slow-paced and could have easily been trimmed by 20-25 minutes. The music in the film is notably understated and underutilised, and an anthemic background score or some classic hip-hop tracks could have added an extra layer, enhancing Unstoppable even further.

While the film avoids melodrama, it presents an unapologetic hagiographical portrait of Anthony Robles, portraying him as a near-perfect figure with no personal flaws or vices. We see Robles' challenging family life, financial struggles, and strained relationship with his stepfather, but we don’t get a deep look at the man behind the celebrated wrestler. This may be because Robles himself serves as a producer on the film.

The film explores themes of parenthood, what makes a parent-child relationship, marital abuse, racism, and the very notion of masculinity. However, Unstoppable’s defining moment lies in its subtle yet powerful commentary on toxic masculinity. During a crucial match, Anthony glances toward his stepfather, and in that instant, Robles, much like Rudy, comes to understand both the man he is and the man he aspires to be. When these two versions of himself align, he not only becomes a champion athlete but also evolves into a true icon and role model.

Most importantly, he transitions into a real man—unstoppable, unbreakable, and undeniable.

Unstoppable is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.