The Hammer (2007)

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 ... See full summary »

Director:

Charles Herman-Wurmfeld

Writers:

Kevin Hench (screenplay), Adam Carolla (story)

Stars:

Adam Carolla, Oswaldo Castillo, Harold House Moore

Cast

Credited 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
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

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

boxing | birthday | olympics | coach | gym | 

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Taglines:

You're never too old to go for the gold.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for brief language

Details

Official Sites:

MySpace

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 April 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

A kalapács

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$850,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$97,137 (USA) (21 March 2008)

Gross:

$442,638 (USA) (2 May 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bentley Filmgroup, Eden Wurmfeld Films, Hammer The Movie

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The gym featured in the movie was built by Adam Carolla and Oswaldo Castillo during Adam's years as a carpenter. After completing the gym, Adam instructed the morning boxing class and Oswaldo was hired as the maintenance guy.

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

Coach Bell: So what are you?
Jerry Ferro: Well, up until 2 hours ago, I was a carpenter.
Coach Bell: So you still have your amateur status?
Jerry Ferro: Not as a carpenter.

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Connections

References Kung Fu (1972)

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Soundtracks

"Alive & Amplified"
Written by Sammy James Jr., Graham Tyler & The Matrix
Performed by The Mooney Suzuki
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By Arrangement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment

User Reviews

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.