The Challenger (2015)

A Bronx boxer fights his way to a better life.

Director:

Kent Moran

Writer:

Kent Moran

Stars:

Kent Moran, Michael Clarke Duncan, S. Epatha Merkerson

4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kent Moran	...	Jaden
Michael Clarke Duncan	...	Duane
S. Epatha Merkerson	...	Jada
Justin Hartley	...	James
Frank Watson	...	Terrence
Stan Carp	...	Joe
Rob Morgan	...	Frederick
Michael Rivera	...	Sanchez
Robert Pike Daniel	...	Vincent
Ernie Sabella	...	Frankie
Lindsay Hartley	...	Stephanie
Steven Hauck	...	TV Executive
Raushanah Simmons	...	Laurie
Kelvin Hale	...	Commentator #1
Jason Horowitz	...	Commentator #2

Storyline

Bronx native Jaden Miller, 24, could've had a better life, but fighting within a prestigious school cost his scholarship and an expulsion. Now a high school dropout working from job to job, evicted with nowhere to call home, he decides to train as a boxer under discredited trainer Duane Taylor. The local PBS station picks up on the story and wants to document Jaden's progress as he becomes slated to take on the champion, James Burchard, an undefeated boxer of less-than-appealing character. Jaden's mom, Jada (ailing from a heart condition), sees no good in this, as it was fighting that so far ruined his life, but Duane sees within Jaden an it factor that could make him great.

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Plot Keywords:

boxer | high school dropout | evicted | star died before release | slow motion | 

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Taglines:

Fight for who you are.

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sports violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish Hindi

Release Date:

11 September 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Претендент

Filming Locations:

Bronx, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,246, 13 September 2015, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$19,003, 20 September 2015

Company Credits

Production Co:

Wishing Well Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Michael Clarke Duncan's last film following his death in 2012 aged 54.

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Quotes

Jada: Let me tell you something, son. There's a reason why I found you. There's a reason why this fight found you. Now, I know I've tried to fight it, but this is your path, so take it. Mm? Take it.

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Connections

References Fight of the Century (1971)

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Soundtracks

Talk To Me
Written by (P. Stew) Paul Stewart
Performed by (P. Stew) Paul Stewart

User Reviews

Just another boxing movie?

Ok, let's face it, there is only so much you can do with a championship boxing movie. To be honest the story is very unlikely. However, this one has something special. The 90 minutes flew past very quickly for me which is my proof that I enjoyed it. The acting was superb, the fight scenes were reasonable and the story, although far from reality drew me in and had me routing for the main character. Although Kent Moran doesn't look like he has ever truly fought in a ring he played the title role really well and was very likeable. Michael Clarke Duncan played the supporting role equally well and was very believable as the trainer. It was refreshing to see a boxing movie without any romantic complications blurring the story. Yes, it was the rise of the underdog as most of them are. And yes, there were plenty of touching family moments but no love interests. Another thing I liked was that the opponents were not painted as the bad guys like in so many other movies. Anyway, I watch a lot of boxing movies and this is definitely worth watching. 7/10