Watch Against the Ropes

Against the Ropes is a 2004 sports drama film directed by Charles S. Dutton and starring Meg Ryan, Omar Epps, and Charles S. Dutton himself. The movie is inspired by the life of Jackie Kallen, who was the first female to become a successful manager in the male-dominated world of boxing. Against the Ropes tells the story of a woman who overcomes adversity to rise to the top of a male-dominated industry.

Meg Ryan plays Jackie Kallen, a Cleveland-based woman who yearns for recognition and success. The movie opens with Jackie working as an assistant to a sleazy boxing promoter, where she is often undervalued and treated poorly. Jackie has a deep love for the sport of boxing and knows all the ins and outs of the business. But despite her extensive knowledge, no one takes her seriously, and she is relegated to fetching coffee and picking up dry cleaning. Until one day, she meets the boxer Luther Shaw (Omar Epps), who is struggling to make ends meet and has a troubled past.

Luther is skeptical of Jackie at first, but as she slowly gains his trust, she becomes his manager. Together, they embark on a journey to make him the first African-American heavyweight champion of the world. Along the way, they must navigate the corrupt world of boxing, deal with jealous and petty rivals, and overcome personal demons. However, Jackie's unorthodox approach to managing Luther often clashes with his traditional boxing training, and their relationship becomes strained.

The movie offers a unique view of the boxing world, with much of the story dealing with the behind-the-scenes politics that go into making a championship fighter. The movie also delves into the dynamics of a relationship between a fighter and a manager, and the challenges they face as they try to work together to achieve success.

Meg Ryan's performance in this movie is a departure from her typical romantic comedy roles. As Jackie, she is tough, no-nonsense, and tenacious, which was a change of pace for her fans at the time. Omar Epps is also excellent as Luther, and his portrayal of a boxer trying to overcome his past is both compelling and moving.

Charles S. Dutton, who not only directed the movie but also had a supporting role as the trainer, is a boxing enthusiast himself, and it shows in the film. The fight scenes are well-choreographed and realistic. They give the audience a sense of the physical and emotional toll that boxing can take on a fighter.

Against the Ropes is an inspiring movie that tells the story of a woman who defied the odds to make a name for herself in a male-dominated industry. It is a movie that celebrates perseverance, determination, and the human spirit, and it will resonate with anyone who has ever had to fight for their dreams. The movie's themes of loyalty, trust, and overcoming adversity make it a worthwhile watch, and it is a must-see for any sports movie lover.

Against the Ropes is a 2004 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3 and a MetaScore of 36.