The Hammer (2007)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

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

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Bentley Filmgroup

Trivia:

The film was going to be released straight to DVD until Adam Carolla insisted that the movie be released in theaters and put up approximately $300,000 of his own money for prints and promotion to fund a limited release.

Goofs:

Continuity: In order to open the door to Jerry's pick-up, he has Lindsay lift the handle while he kicks the door from the inside. When they return from their date to the tar pits, Lindsay simply opens the door using the outside handle, but does not have to kick or push to open it.

Quotes:

Oswaldo Sanchez: Jerry! Jerry! Wake up, man! You missing the tryouts, man!
Jerry Ferro: [sleeping] I'll do the Olympics next time...

Movie Connections:

References Cat-Tails for Two (1953)

Soundtrack:

You

Comfortable Hammer

"The Hammer" starring Adam Carolla is a sentimental and sweet story of reclaiming one's greatness. Directed by Charles Herman-Wurmfeld, "The Hammer" plays like an independent film, mostly because it is. Kevin Hench wrote the screenplay for "The Hammer" from a story by Adam Carolla. Consequently, the movie has an autobiographical feel. Before Carolla became a morning talk-radio star or host of "Loveline" with Dr. Drew, he was a carpenter and boxing instructor. In fact he was Jimmy Kimmel's boxing coach. In "The Hammer" Adam Carolla plays 40 year-old Jerry Ferro, a journeyman carpenter, who works odd construction jobs around Los Angeles County. His good buddy is barely understandable Nicaraguan immigrant Oswaldo (Oswaldo Castillo), and his partner in construction. Jerry also teaches boxing at a local sports club.

One day after being fired from his job, Jerry spars an up and coming professional boxer as a favor. Jerry takes a beating, but drops the fighter with a solid left. This catches the attention of Coach Eddie Bell (Tom Quin). Bell enrolls Jerry into trying out for the Olympic Boxing Team, through regional competition. 20 years ago, Jerry walked away from a shot at the Olympic Team as a promising young amateur. So now at 40 years-old and fired from his job this may be Jerry's last shot. However, it marks the end of his relationship with suffering girlfriend Nicole (Constance Zimmer). Jerry finds out that he is contending for the light-heavyweight spot against young talented Robert Brown (brash Harold House Moore). Robert has a bright career in front of himself, while Jerry struggles to recapture the greatness of his youth. But Jerry is smart and has great heart. Also Bell's intentions are not entirely transparent.

Things begin to look up. Jerry musters up the courage to ask cute and smart Lindsay (sweet and charming Heather Juergensen) from his boxing class 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 Tar Pits. Carolla and Juergensen have a hysterical and natural chemistry. A perfect foil to Jerry's smart ass, Lindsay is solid and unflinching. There is a touching and funny scene when Lindsay kisses Jerry good night. She would have sex with Jerry, but Jerry has a big fight coming up and she doesn't want to "deplete" his chi. Their relationship is a touching surprise in "The Hammer".

Okay, "The Hammer" has formulaic "Rocky" charm and predictability. You have the requisite cathartic fight scene. However, it is its quirkiness and engaging natural banter that makes "The Hammer" so bitter sweet and heart felt. Adam Carolla has an easy and natural charm. He is great at embodying the smart ass and gentle soul of Jerry. As Lindsay, Heather Juergensen is the amazing combination of goofy and sexy. As Lindsay she plays it very smart, just flying under the radar. Like Carolla, she has an easy and comfortable presence. Harold House Moore is funny and charismatic as Robert. Moore also brings a refreshing humanity to the role.

"The Hammer" is sentimental, strangely comfortable, and refreshing. We all pull for Adam Carolla's Jerry as he hysterically and courageously reclaims his vestige of greatness. See "The Hammer". You'll be surprised and charmed.