The Hammer (2007)

Director:

Charles Herman-Wurmfeld

Writers (WGA):

Kevin Hench (screenplay)
Adam Carolla (story)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance | Sport

Tagline:

Some Guys Don't Know Their Destiny Till It Hits Them In The Face.

Plot:

Jerry Ferro's 40th birthday has brought his life into sharp relief and it's not a pretty picture. A once-promising amateur boxer...

Plot Keywords:

Boxing | Birthday | Coach | Olympics | Gym

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
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Paul Alayo	...	Boxer Opponent
Michelle Ashley	...	Waitress
Rian Bishop	...	Nationals Trainer
Ascencion Bribiescas	...	Boxing Student
Antonio Caballero
Derrick Deane	...	Gym Member
Lorenzo Eduardo	...	Posse Member #2
John Enos III	...	Steve
Kevin Ferguson	...	Jeff
Jim FitzGerald	...	Announcer
Alison Flierl	...	Boxing fan
Julia Galasso	...	Boxing Class Trainee
Keeshan Giles	...	Posse Member #1
Stacy Glassgold	...	Tarpits Visitor (as Stacy Michelle Gold)
Leah Gottfried	...	Secretary
Andy Hnilo	...	Knockout Victim
Karen Jefferson	...	Hardware Store Cashier
Justin Kelly	...	Construction Worker
Jeff Lacy	...	Malice Blake
Billy Moses	...	Boxing Student
Manuel Nardi	...	(credit only)
Tom Quinn	...	Coach Bell
Lily Rey	...	Waitress
Bruce Schroffel	...	Timekeeper
Shadii	...	Malice Blake Entourage / boxer
Robyn Sheridan	...	Boxer
Ray Siegle	...	Final match referee
Keith Stanisiewski	...	Hardware Store Customer
Trev Tommasi	...	Mike Duncan
Jimmy Walker Jr.	...	The Oldtimer
Constance Zimmer	...	Nicole

MPAA:

Rated R for brief language.

Runtime:

USA:88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:R | Singapore:NC-16 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

La Brea Tar Pits, Hancock Park, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Bentley Filmgroup

Trivia:

Adam Carolla has gone on many rants on his podcast about the film's rating. Despite just one use of the f-word and minimal cursing, the movie is still rated R.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the opening credits when Jerry spills coffee on himself several coffee grounds are stuck to his face. They vanish and reappear through the scene.

Quotes:

Jerry Ferro: Who hangs a heavy bag with toggle bolts?

Movie Connections:

References "The Mickey Mouse Club" (1955)

Soundtrack:

You

A really great film

This film had a lot to live up to for me. I read a lot and had heard a lot of good things about it before finally seeing it. Inevitably, when that happens usually the film can't possibly live up to the hype. This one for me really did. I hearkened back to a time in film making when comedies didn't need gross-out scenes or elaborate sight gags to carry the comedy. The comedy just relied on good and funny writing. This film has it in spades.

First a little jag about the MPPA rating system. If someone could explain to me the, "R" rating, I would appreciate it. It seems to me the only reason - and I'm no conspiracy theorist - for it to carry such a rating is to kill small, independent film such as this one. It has no nudity, no harsh language (no f-bombs or closer), no real violence (there is a little blood in one scene but its surrounded by boxing as a plot point). Really, I want to know, why the, "R" rating. I'm pretty conservative but I would take my 7 year old niece to this film.

This is a romantic comedy. I would put it among the best in the sports-themed category right alongside, "Tin Cup" and "Bull Durahm". This film, however carries a much lighter touch after all it was made for like, 1/5th the budget and therefore carries much more charm and appeal as a result. I will say that despite the low budget it is far from looking like a low budget film. The directing is tight, the acting is very convincing and the comedy is razor sharp.

Overall I would say, if you are finished with the tired and formula driven comedies the major studios are pumping out these days and want to get back to a comedy that is very funny but doesn't have to hit you over the head with over the top stereotypes, sight gags and fart jokes, then, "The Hammer" may be the salvation you have been waiting for.