Some Guys Don't Know Their Destiny Till It Hits Them In The Face.
Jerry Ferro's 40th birthday has brought his life into sharp relief and it's not a pretty picture. A once-promising amateur boxer -- who quit so he wouldn't risk his perfect record of underachievement -- Jerry has been knocking around from one construction job to another and spinning his wheels in an unsatisfying relationship, all the while with an eye toward eventually getting his act together. His last connection to the fight game is the evening boxing class he teaches to middle-aged, middle class, middle management types at a gym in Pasadena, where he also works as a handyman. When venerable boxing coach Eddie Bell asks Jerry if he'd like to spar a couple of rounds with Malice Blake, an up-and-coming pro, Jerry reluctantly steps into the ring. Despite the ass-kicking Jerry otherwise receives, a one-punch knockdown of Blake convinces Jerry that it's time to make his return to competitive boxing. Thus ends a 20-year layoff and begins a hilarious fish-out-water quest for Olympic gold.
Genre(s): Comedy, Romance, Sport
Runtime: 88 minutes
Rating: 7.3/10 (3,033 votes)
Release Date: 26 April 2007
Country: USA
Languages: English
Company: Bentley Filmgroup
MPAA: Rated R for brief language.
Director(s): Charles Herman-Wurmfeld
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Producer(s):
Adam Carolla - executive producer
Gregory Firestone - executive producer
Steven Firestone - executive producer
Eric Ganz - producer
Kevin Hench - co-producer
Heather Juergensen - producer
Chris Stinson - line producer
Eden Wurmfeld - producer
Jonathan Wysocki - associate producer
Writer(s):
Kevin Hench - (screenplay)
Adam Carolla - (story)
Cast:
Adam Carolla - Jerry Ferro
Oswaldo Castillo - Oswaldo Sanchez
Harold House Moore - Robert Brown
Christopher Darga - Mike LeMat
Jonathan Hernandez - Victor Padilla
Heather Juergensen - Lindsay Pratt
Paul Alayo - Boxer Opponent
Michelle Ashley - Waitress
Rian Bishop - Nationals Trainer
Ascencion Bribiescas - Boxing Student
Music: Matt Mariano, John Swihart
Adam Carolla - executive producer
Gregory Firestone - executive producer
Steven Firestone - executive producer
Eric Ganz - producer
Kevin Hench - co-producer
Heather Juergensen - producer
Chris Stinson - line producer
Eden Wurmfeld - producer
Jonathan Wysocki - associate producer
Writer(s):
Kevin Hench - (screenplay)
Adam Carolla - (story)
Cast:
Adam Carolla - Jerry Ferro
Oswaldo Castillo - Oswaldo Sanchez
Harold House Moore - Robert Brown
Christopher Darga - Mike LeMat
Jonathan Hernandez - Victor Padilla
Heather Juergensen - Lindsay Pratt
Paul Alayo - Boxer Opponent
Michelle Ashley - Waitress
Rian Bishop - Nationals Trainer
Ascencion Bribiescas - Boxing Student
Music: Matt Mariano, John Swihart
Posted on: March 28, 2008
March 23rd, 2008
Adam has commented on his show about the slight insult associated withpeople giving him good reviews and compliments with qualifying commentslike "actually good" and "surprisingly funny", and followed with, "No,really, its REALLY actually good". Although I don't think Adam shouldtake too much offense as I believe their surprise is a reflection onthe low expectations of comedic films recently as much as those who maybe surprised that they like Adam Carolla more than they originallythought, as Adam creates a character who is easy to relate to in a filmthat is easily accessible to many people. And the reason it isaccessible is that it is a good movie with a good script and goodacting and good jokes. It does not need to rely on what Hollywoodconsiders a proved formula or proved actor.
The Hammer is a good movie. I know that sounds like a genericcompliment but in my opinion it is really hard to find a smart comedythat is also a genuinely good movie nowadays. The story is original.The tone is easy going and is confident in it's purpose and saves youthe pain of sitting through a comedy that tries too hard to be funny.This is not the best movie you have seen all year, but it willdefinitely entertain, make you laugh, make you think and you will leavethe theater feeling like your $7-10 you spent was well worth it. Thematerial is laugh out loud funny with some of the dry wit, creativecomplaints and analytical commentary on life that fans of Adam are usedto. My wife, who is not a big fan of Adam, loved the movie and thoughtit was well written. She also enjoyed Oswaldo "Ozzie" Castillo, who ischarming and funny as his Nicaraguan friend. The role came naturallyfor him as Ozzie is Adam's friend in real life and worked constructionwith him back in his pre-celebrity days.
It seems like all of the really funny and smart comedy has always comefrom someone who is given a blank slate and allowed to do more or lesswhatever they want without much interference or censorship. By this Iam referring to shows such as Family Guy, South Park, Its Always SunnyIn Philadelphia, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld and movies such asAnchorman, Ace Ventura, The Jerk, Swingers, Clerks, etc. What all ofthese have in common is that they start out being small enough and donecheap enough so that TV/studio executives don't care enough to getoverly involved in. Or in some cases the star is proved to be funny instand-up or TV but they are given a shot to do what they want in theirfirst movie as long as it is done cheap to see how it goes. Either way,they are allowed to be original, daring and edgy without the peoplefunding it insisting on the "safe" formula. The catch is that becausethey start out small, they need to fight to get a good footing and gainan audience. The Hammer is this movie that needs to fight for theaudience it deserves for Adam Carolla.
For those familiar with Adam Carolla and his radio show, it is exactlywhat all the good reviews and discussion on the show lead you tobelieve about the movie. For those of you who don't know, Adam paid todistribute the movie himself due to the problems he ran into withdistributors who passed on a movie that does not fit into acookie-cutter formula. And we have all seen what "proven" box officecomedic actors have yielded lately. There is a mile-long list of crapput out by the likes of the Adam Sandler/SNL crew, Dane Cook and theWayans Brothers milking the Scary Movie formula as many times as thestudio will let them. One of the main reasons distributors passed onthe movie was that it was appealing to "too many" people and could notbe easily marketed to a "target audience", which ironically is anegative for them. This is true, as many people young and old, mean andwomen, were in the theater and everyone was laughing. Half of theaudience actually clapped at the end which is a rarity nowadays.
Therefore this movie needs the support of a good first week andword-of-mouth advertising to gain a foothold and be astick-it-to-the-man indie movie victory. If movies like The Hammerdon't get support it deserves, it is just more justification forstudios and distributors not to support anything beyond the usualrepetitive crap you see in theaters.
So do yourself a favor and go see it in theaters, and if you arereading this after it has already gone to DVD then pick it up and checkit out. You will definitely see a good and worthwhile movie and one oftwo things will happen. A) You can see it early then tell others aboutit and be one of those people who "discover" a good thing early and cantell people "I saw it back when…" once it becomes a hit, like a bandyou discovered early and watched rise to stardom. Or B) You can hold itas one of those nice little "secrets" and you can be part of anexclusive club of people with good taste, much like a good Italianrestaurant not many people know about and you are kind of glad peopledon't know so it can be "yours", and you can always get a seat withoutwaiting.
March 23rd, 2008
As one would expect from an Adam Corolla movie, there are plenty of therapier witticisms he is known for, and there is a solid laugh-out-loudevery few minutes for the duration. But, more importantly, the story isa really sweet, engaging and uplifting tale of a middle aged slackerwho takes one last shot at achieving his dreams, or at least realizingwhat they are. It was truly beautiful, in the way he comes to embracehis life and mission. Also, credit to Adam's heavily-accentedNicaraguan friend Ozzie as his sidekick, the duo has something of a DonQuixote-Sancho Panza feel to it, which works very well. I'm an AC fan,but my wife is not, and she loved it as well. This might be the best"small movie" I've ever seen.
April 1st, 2008
"The Hammer" starring Adam Carolla is a sentimental and sweet story ofreclaiming one's greatness. Directed by Charles Herman-Wurmfeld, "TheHammer" plays like an independent film, mostly because it is. KevinHench wrote the screenplay for "The Hammer" from a story by AdamCarolla. Consequently, the movie has an autobiographical feel. BeforeCarolla became a morning talk-radio star or host of "Loveline" with Dr.Drew, he was a carpenter and boxing instructor. In fact he was JimmyKimmel's boxing coach. In "The Hammer" Adam Carolla plays 40 year-oldJerry Ferro, a journeyman carpenter, who works odd construction jobsaround Los Angeles County. His good buddy is barely understandableNicaraguan immigrant Oswaldo (Oswaldo Castillo), and his partner inconstruction. Jerry also teaches boxing at a local sports club.
One day after being fired from his job, Jerry spars an up and comingprofessional boxer as a favor. Jerry takes a beating, but drops thefighter with a solid left. This catches the attention of Coach EddieBell (Tom Quin). Bell enrolls Jerry into trying out for the OlympicBoxing Team, through regional competition. 20 years ago, Jerry walkedaway from a shot at the Olympic Team as a promising young amateur. Sonow at 40 years-old and fired from his job this may be Jerry's lastshot. However, it marks the end of his relationship with sufferinggirlfriend Nicole (Constance Zimmer). Jerry finds out that he iscontending for the light-heavyweight spot against young talented RobertBrown (brash Harold House Moore). Robert has a bright career in frontof himself, while Jerry struggles to recapture the greatness of hisyouth. But Jerry is smart and has great heart. Also Bell's intentionsare not entirely transparent.
Things begin to look up. Jerry musters up the courage to ask cute andsmart Lindsay (sweet and charming Heather Juergensen) from his boxingclass to go out on a date. Swamped public defender Lindsay agrees to a"day" date. Jerry and Lindsay spend a hilarious day at the La Brea TarPits. Carolla and Juergensen have a hysterical and natural chemistry. Aperfect foil to Jerry's smart ass, Lindsay is solid and unflinching.There is a touching and funny scene when Lindsay kisses Jerry goodnight. She would have sex with Jerry, but Jerry has a big fight comingup and she doesn't want to "deplete" his chi. Their relationship is atouching surprise in "The Hammer".
Okay, "The Hammer" has formulaic "Rocky" charm and predictability. Youhave the requisite cathartic fight scene. However, it is its quirkinessand engaging natural banter that makes "The Hammer" so bitter sweet andheart felt. Adam Carolla has an easy and natural charm. He is great atembodying the smart ass and gentle soul of Jerry. As Lindsay, HeatherJuergensen is the amazing combination of goofy and sexy. As Lindsay sheplays it very smart, just flying under the radar. Like Carolla, she hasan easy and comfortable presence. Harold House Moore is funny andcharismatic as Robert. Moore also brings a refreshing humanity to therole.
"The Hammer" is sentimental, strangely comfortable, and refreshing. Weall pull for Adam Carolla's Jerry as he hysterically and courageouslyreclaims his vestige of greatness. See "The Hammer". You'll besurprised and charmed.
April 23rd, 2008
Adam Carolla is one of those guys you either really like, or reallyhate. There doesn't quite seem to have been an in-between opinion abouthim since he rose to national fame as co-host of "The Man Show" in1999. I've heard a lot of bad things about him, and I haven't been thebiggest fan of his myself.
That being said, however, I never would have expected him to write andstar in a very smart comedy with a surprising amount of heart to it.After all, you initially think this movie is a rags to riches storyabout a blue collar worker who finds he can actually make it as aprofessional boxer. Carolla appears to have taken that now-clichépremise and turn it right on its head in a good way.
So why is this movie great? Why does it deserve 8 out of 10 stars? Myanswer: it's just very enjoyable to watch, and it has some somewhatunpredictable turns amidst the very clever one-liners from Carolla.Some of Carolla's lines I'm still laughing at even after seeing themovie last night. One of Carolla's best moments is when he gets pulledover by a cop. The rant that follows is just hilarious.
With all the laughs, this story has a heart that fits in pretty well,and doesn't make the movie too schmaltzy or cheesy. Of course, a movieabout boxing wouldn't be complete without a climactic fight in the end,and this movie indeed has one. Without giving too much away, the waythat fight ends is quite unexpected, especially coming from Carolla,but it was so sincere an ending that it ended the movie in a verysatisfactory way.
I probably used the word "surprising" a lot in this review, but that'sfor good reason. It's a good thing when a movie comes along that youhave low expectations for, and it just blows you away with itscreativity and originality, especially given its premise. After all,you can go so far with a movie about sports. Take Burt Reynolds, forexample. His most recent sports romp, "Cloud 9", began with a greatpremise, but ended up just as cliché as most other sports movies. Thiscoming from the actor (and producer) who brought us "The Longest Yard"too.
My biggest grievance about this movie comes not from its content, butfrom the Motion Picture Association of America for rating this movie R.This was the biggest misfire on the MPAA ever. This movie had one useof the F-word, no lethal violence, no explicit sexual content, and nosuggestive themes. It should have been rated PG-13, period. This moviecould be the prime example of the MPAA's inefficiency and inaccuracy,and it's a shame that low-budget gems like this movie have to sufferfor it.
As for Adam Carolla, though, his stock went way up in my book afterseeing this movie. As soon as it comes out on DVD, I'm buying it forsure.