Sports movies based on real-life characters are tricky. Depending on the sport it might not appeal to everyone. The other issue is that sometimes people feel they already know the ending so there is no need to see the movie. The movie Titanic made over $2.2 billion and it was a disaster movie that everyone already knew the ending. It is the journey to that ending that drew many people in to see the ship sink and in Unstoppable, Anthony Robles’s journey is what makes this movie a must-see!
If you go to YouTube and type in “Anthony Robles NCAA” you will find video after video of him wrestling. While you may be thinking, “What is the big deal about seeing this guy wrestle?”. The thing about Anthony Robles is that he became one of the NCAA’s best wrestlers while being born with only one leg. Seeing Anthony move gracelessly on the mat and as if he has no disability is inspiring. This is what makes Unstoppable an incredible story. Seeing everything Anthony had to go through on and off the mat makes for a fantastic biopic.
Jherrell Jerome plays Anthony Robles and from the beginning of the movie we see that Anthony is great at wrestling. In the beginning match, we see how smooth he is on the mat while his mother, Judy (Jennifer Lopez) cheers on from the stands. Judy is a supportive mother in the way she defends her son from the stands and lauds his accomplishments when they get home after a wrestling meet. Anthony’s stepdad, Rick Robles (Bobby Cannavale) is tough, not only on Anthony but everyone in the family. He feels that Anthony should be helping out more at home and start thinking about what to do after wrestling is over.
Anthony has dreams of going to a big collegiate school to continue his wrestling career but even with a winning record, he is overlooked due to his disability. Even though he gets a full ride to Drexel University, Anthony decides against it because of family issues and his desire to get into a bigger school. After talking to his coach Bobby Williams (Michael Peña), he is granted a meeting with Coach Shawn (Don Cheadle) from Arizona State University. Anthony is told he would have to join the team as a walk-on and there are no guarantees he will make the team. The audience is shown through a series of scenes the work Anthony does to prove that he belongs on the team.
Anthony not only goes above and beyond to prove his worth, but he does this while dealing with issues with his stepfather, Rick. This is where we see the real struggle Anthony goes through. While doing all he can to make the team his stepfather is that voice of deniability that creeps into his head during some tough moments. These moments can be triggering to those who have had abusive relationships with their parents. It is always hard to see the people who have committed to protecting you as you grow older, change their position and treat you as if you do not mean anything to them. There is a flashback scene, in a car, between Anthony and Rick that is just gutwrenching.
Throughout all of this, we also see the effect this toxic relationship has on Rick and Judy. While Judy stands strong and defends her son, she also makes choices that make you question them. After a tense and physical moment between Anthony and Rick, Judy takes a stand and goes on a journey that changes the lives of her children and herself. This portion of the movie shows the audience that with some determination they can get out of a bad situation and overcome the hole they have dug for themselves. Jennifer Lopez is fantastic as Judy Robles and more people need to be talking about her performance.
Again, if you know Anthony’s story you know he goes against the defending 125 lb wrestler from Iowa. The journey to this moment feels grand and the match itself keeps you on the edge of your seat. The way the scene is filmed puts you in the action and you can feel the sweat hitting you as the two men combat on the mat. A great behind-the-scenes fact is Anthony Robles is Jherrell’s stunt double in the movie. So every time you see a far shot of the match, that is Anthony wrestling in Jherrell’s spot.
Once the final match ends and the cheers and applause begin make sure you stay through the credits. As the credits roll, the audience is shown the impact Anthony has had on the wrestling community. We see all of his achievements not only on the mat but also in his life. The great thing is we also see what Judy does with her life once Rick is no longer a part of it. Judy is also a fantastic inspiration and seeing her accomplishments on the big screen is beautiful.
Unstoppable is a powerful movie not only about wrestling but also about family and life. As I stated in an interview with Anthony this movie shows that no matter the obstacles you have to keep pushing forward and his life is an example of this. Anthony never took pity on himself because he was born with one leg. He always looked at the obstacles ahead and thought about how to conquer them. After watching this movie, hopefully, more kids and adults can feel this way and truly become “unstoppable”!
Make sure you take a moment and watch our interviews with Anthony Robles and Jherrell Jermone.
Final Thoughts: Unstoppable gives us a story that not only appeals to the sports fan but to everyone. Anthony and his mother jump many hurdles in their lives but to see them overcome them is empowering. Jharrel Jerome and Jennifer Lopez give fantastic and powerful performances.
Kid-Friendly: The theme of overcoming any obstacle to chase your dreams is a great one for kids to see. Seeing how Anthony does not let his disability prevent him from wrestling will teach kids perseverance, determination, and heart. Anthony’s story is one that all kids should see.
Violence: There are a few altercations between Anthony and Rick that get pretty heated.
Unstoppable is the inspiring true story of Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) who was born with one leg but whose indomitable spirit and unbreakable resolve empowered him to defy the odds and pursue his dreams. With the unwavering love and support of his devoted mother Judy (Jennifer Lopez) and the encouragement of his coaches, Anthony fights through adversity to earn a spot on the Arizona State Wrestling team. But it will demand everything he has, physically and mentally, to achieve his ultimate quest to become an NCAA Champion.