Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- earnest
- inspirational
- determined
- sports movie night
- inspirational viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the performances intermittently appealing but judged the film a bland, clichéd, and overly sanitized sports biopic.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jackie Kallen builds authority as a female boxing manager in a traditionally male professional world.
The film draws on Jackie Kallen's career while presenting Luther Shaw as a composite boxer and inventing or simplifying events.
Jackie's boxing career and eventual separation from her long-term husband form part of her personal trajectory.
Jackie's management of Luther Shaw is framed through the recognizable progression of a struggling fighter pursuing success.
Films like Against the Ropes, and why
Million Dollar Baby
female-centered sports drama built around an underdog boxing career and perseverance against entrenched sexism
Ali
biographical boxing drama focused on ambition, mentorship, and the pressures surrounding a fighter's career
Rocky
inspirational boxing film using a determined outsider and familiar underdog conventions
North Country
female empowerment drama about succeeding in a male-dominated professional world
Movie Details
- Director
- Charles S. Dutton
- Release Date
- 2004-02-20
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 5.1 / 10 (136)
Cast
- Meg Ryan
- Omar Epps
- Charles S. Dutton
- Tony Shalhoub
- Tim Daly
- Joe Cortese
- Kerry Washington
- Sean Bell
- Dean McDermott
- Skye McCole Bartusiak
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Against the Ropes about?
- A determined Detroit boxing manager battles sexism, industry skepticism, and personal upheaval while guiding a volatile fighter toward professional success.
- What is Against the Ropes like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Against the Ropes as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Against the Ropes violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Against the Ropes as moderate.
- What did critics think of Against the Ropes?
- Critics broadly found the performances intermittently appealing but judged the film a bland, clichéd, and overly sanitized sports biopic.
- Which films are like Against the Ropes?
- Films with a similar feel include Million Dollar Baby, Ali, Rocky, and North Country.
- How long is Against the Ropes?
- Against the Ropes runs 106 minutes.
- Where can I watch Against the Ropes?
- In United States, Against the Ropes is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
