Movie Review: Against the Ropes

Cute little turned-up-nosed Meg Ryan in the middle of a boxing ring? Now we've seen it all! The actress is wearing mini-skirts, stilettos and talking trash to big-muscled boxers in her new film about girl power and the underdog, Against the Ropes.

In 1972, when young Jackie Kallen (Meg Ryan) hung around a boxing ring with her dad, she was called a "midget with a head full of stupid" but her uncle knew better and told the bright girl "pretty and tough can do anything". Now, all grown up, Jackie, dressed like Erin Brokovich, works for a scumbag, lower echelon Mafioso boxing arena executive who doesn't appreciate her knowledge of the sport or her outspoken opinions as a woman.

Jackie also talks back to dangerous boxing kingpin Sam LaRocca (Tony Shalhoub), who accepts her challenge by selling her the contract of one of his failing boxers for a dollar when she says she can make him a star.

The contract boxer isn't so hot but Jackie finds a guy with impressive potential. He's Luther Shaw (Omar Epps), who acts as an enforcer for a drug dealer. Jackie sees him in action and knows he could make it big in the ring if he can drop the street fighting and learn to box.

J ackie goes to old pal trainer Felix (Charles Dutton) and they turn Luther into a winner. Jackie then must deal with the sudden fame that comes with her being the first very successful female boxing manager in history.

Jackie and her boxer are two talented but overlooked souls who can kick serious butt when they team up. I like that. Meg's character is flawed. She does what most of us would do. If your opinions are put down constantly then you have a sudden chance in the limelight, you might go overboard and hog the attention. This was a very "real" portrayal. What is barely handled in the film is Jackie's personal life. A hot sports reporter (Tim Daly) is obviously interested in her but the movie seems to be trying to say that a woman can't have it all.. a solid romance and a top career. Nothing ever develops between the two. The real-life Jackie was married with two kids while being a sportswriter, manager, etc.

Some of the dialogue is cliché while I enjoyed an African-American pal of Jackie's saying "Why did you call me for Black-up?" when she comes to the rescue.

Marketing is weird on this film. Trailers make it look like a pure comedy when, at the core, it's a film about girl power and a relationship between two people who are not supposed to be together, who make each other shine. It's kind of a love story between boxer and his femme manager without the sex. Omar Epps is very convincing as the good-at-heart ex-criminal enforcer turned boxing pro.

If you enjoy a good girl-power film then go root for Meg and her hot-looking boxer (Omar).

For macho action and hot girl attraction.. 3.5 out of 5 stars

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Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produces screenwriter.