junglekittytoo This was a great movie!! Omar Epps and Meg Ryan were great in this movie! My review is not going to be detailed as there are so many others that are... Mine is just going to say Great Movie!!! I bought this DVD and saw this at the Theater!! I was entertained and enjoyed the movie immensely!! I still watch it on DVD every year and every one that watches it with me and has not seen it enjoys it as well!!! I don't understand the negativity regarding this film and or Meg Ryans' role in it! She was a tough fight promoter (Female)... she played the role well and was Hot doing it!! Omar Epps was great for the part!!! Based on a true story !!! Was happy to see it done well!!

smatysia This is a not-very-well-written film that nonetheless has redeeming features. The story arc is clichéd, (underdog succeeds against all odds, hubris sets in, everything lost, then redemption), and Meg Ryan, who I think is a better actress than some, is badly miscast here. She just can't come across as tough enough for this role. The slutty clothes her character wore, although looking very nice, didn't fit. (Even though I'm sure she was channeling Kallen) Omar Epps put in a very nice performance, and I have to compliment Kerry Washington and Charles S. Dutton for their work, although there was not enough of Washington. Also Tony Shalhoub who I haven't much cared for, shows his chops by going against type playing an imposing and menacing character. I see that Dutton directed and did well, inasmuch as I never noticed the direction. This film has deep faults, but somehow works, at least to a point. I thought it was OK.

mlionfire I sat through all of this... and I have to say that it is another colossal and predictable waste of celluloid... Mz. Ryan is terribly miscast and nowhere near tough enough for this type of role... and that lace-up leather number she has on really accentuates the worst of her physical stature... I wish I could say something good about this movie... Meg Ryan has given us some pretty good movies in the past, but I can't seem to find any redeeming qualities... The whole thing needs a remake, with a different cast, as I believe that Jackie Kallen's story is valid to boxing history and should be told...I thought that Tony Shalhoub, the actor who is Jackie's rival (also plays Monk on TV)has turned in a sight better performances than this before... sorry, but this is one dog of a movie you should avoid...

triple8 SPOILERS THROUGHOUT:Against The Ropes wasn't terrible, at least not for me. I actually enjoyed parts of it and though boxing movies aren't really my thing this is a movie that one can be drawn into if they let themselves. It's got an interesting plot and complex characters. And it's got Meg Ryan in the lead role.That to me, is part of what took away from the movie. I'm not a huge fan of Ryan but have liked her in certain movies. The problem here is just that she just isn't very believable in the role. That's not a dig at her acting, she was fine, but I just always knew I was watching Meg Ryan portray a boxing promoter. Not the perfect fit role wise.Also of annoyingly note worthy mention was Ryan's wardrobe. Why was there such an emphasis on the clothing? The emphasis on wardrobe didn't help the believability factor. This movie at times seemed less like a biography/boxing movie then a showcase for Meg Ryan's outfits and for her to break out of the romantic comedy role. The ending was as feel good as you could get. I actually admit I liked it, but when Ryan walks into the ring for the pep talk, yeah though one may respond to it emotionally it just doesn't come off as terribly realistic. Anyway....This wasn't a movie I had any desire to turn off in mid stream but it isn't a movie that I'd say is a must see or anything like that. Kudos to Ryan for playing against type though and Against The Ropes, with all it's flaws can hold your attention. My vote's 6 of 10.