“Unstoppable,” the directorial debut of William Goldenberg, screened on October 17, 2024, at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival. The autobiographical story of the life of Arizona State champion wrestler Anthony Robles is based on “Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated: How I Became a Champion” by Anthony Robles. Goldenberg read the book and realized it would make a great film. Producers Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, David Crockett, Andy Fraser (and three others) agreed. At the end of its Chicago screening at the Music Box Theater, the crowd gave the real-life subject of the film, Anthony Robles and Jharrel Jerome (who plays Anthony in the film), a standing ovation.
Goldenberg has worked as a film editor for 25 years, winning Oscars for his work on “Argo” and “Zero Dark Thirty.” He has also been nominated for his editing work on “The Imitation Game” and “The Insider.” At 65, Goldenberg decided a film based on Anthony Robles’ book was just the ticket and bound to be a crowd pleaser. Both are true. Said Goldenberg in an interview, “Anthony helped with every part of the production, from writing the script to reviewing the wrestling scenes to make sure everything looked right…His input was invaluable—he gave us so many insights into his life that made the film feel authentic.” In fact, Robles did much more than just give feedback—he also participated in filming some of the wrestling scenes, bringing his athletic skills to the screen as Jharrel’s stunt double. Goldenberg described having Robles on set as a huge inspiration for the entire crew.
THE CAST
The cast includes such top-notch actors as Don Cheadle ( Coach Shawn Charles of Arizona State), Jennifer Lopez as Mom Judy Robles, Bobby Canavale (“Blue Jasmine”) as step-father Rick Robles, Mykelti Williamson as Eddie (Bubba in “Forrest Gump”) and Michael Pena as Coach Bobby Williams (“Crash”). Talented new-comer Jharrel Jerome (“Moonlight,” “SpiderMan: Across the Spider-Verse,” “When They See Us”) was set up to succeed in a physically and emotionally challenging role with a cast so talented, and succeed he did. He won the Tribute Award at TIFF.
Jharrel Jerome at the World Premiere of “Unstoppable” on October 17, 2024, at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival.
Asked about working with such well-known names, Jharrel said, “I’m so new that having them (the star-studded cast) look at me with respect was great. I thank them very much. The work becomes easy when you have good-ass actors.” Jharrel—who was making his first trip to Chicago—also pointed out the good job that Bobby Canavale did in turning a character who could have simply become a one-dimensional villain of the piece into a character with some vulnerability. All of the impressive cast members were excellent.
THE SCREENPLAY
There is a slight feeling that the writing team (Eric Champnella, John Hindman, Alex Harris) resorted to formulaic “feel good” scripting at some points. It worked, based on the audience response. The platitudes didn’t detract from the story. Audiences will love it. (December 24th theatrical release, according to IMDBPro).
Here are some screenplay snippets:
“I’m 21 years old and I have one more year to achieve my goal. Otherwise, for the rest of my life, people will feel sorry for me. I’m running out of time to be someone.”
Coach Bobby Williams to Anthony’s mother: “You must be an extraordinary mother.”
Jennifer Lopez as Judy Robles, discussing Anthony’s congenital birth defect with him and her fight to keep his grandmother from raising him: “If his mother doesn’t accept him, how will he ever accept himself? You can show them that anything is possible, because you showed me.”
IOWA
As an Iowa graduate, putting Shawn Hatosy, (who played the psychotic Pope in “Animal Kingdom,”) in a very small part as Tom Brands, the Iowa Hawkeye coach (cut from the Dan Gable playbook), was a waste of talent. In the script, Brands says, “At Iowa, we believe second is the same as last.” (Villain-speak). The big laugh came when Iowa is described (by Mykelti Williamson) as “corn and white people.” Ouch. (What about the world-renowned Writers’ Workshop? What about Beck & Woods and the “A Quiet Place” franchise? What about Caitlin Clark?)
One scene in the film reminded of Dan Gable’s training techniques. Gable would draw a random card from a deck of cards and then do that number of push-ups (and a lot of other over-the-top things.) The scene in “Unstoppable” that rivaled those Gable techniques was a climb up an Arizona hill in an attempt to become a Sun Devil, which Robles made on crutches. Definitely over-the-top. Very Gable-like.
Matt McDonough—an Iowa wrestler who had never lost a match—was Tom Brands’ 125-lb. champion. Anthony must wrestle Matt not once but twice in two climactic battles. Jharrel Jerome was not a wrestler before “Unstoppable.” He outlined the preparation for the role this way: for 6 months, 5 days a week, in addition to memorizing 8 or 9 matches for 3 minutes straight, Jharrel trained from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.. From 11 to 1 p.m., Jharrel wrestled with Anthony Robles. From 1 to 3 p.m. Jharrel had to learn how to walk well on crutches. Keeping fit when two writers’ strikes delayed filming for 90 days was also difficult.
WRESTLING
Anthony Robles (center) during the Q&A with Jharrel Jerome.
Although there was a wrestling movie that starred Mickey Rourke, it dealt with the WWE brand of wrestling (“The Wrestler,” 2008). “Unstoppable” is “real” wrestling. It is, without a doubt, the most well-done film to depict “real” wrestling I’ve ever seen. “Unstoppable” is the “Raging Bull” of real wrestling. Jharrel Jerome gave credit to the former Division I wrestlers who depicted opponents and to Brian Stiff for helping block the matches and to Anthony Robles for making this a film that could well popularize “real” wrestling at the high school and collegiate level. Robles’ job—in addition to being a motivational speaker—since 2022 is coaching wrestling at his old high school in Mesa, Arizona. When the moderator of the Q&A asked what the hardest part of the shoot was, Jharrel said, “The hardest thing was everything” (to laughter).
ANTHONY ROBLES
The real-life subject of the film shared this: “I didn’t want it to just be a wrestling movie. The wrestling, in itself, told a story. Whatever you wrestle in your life, you can overcome it.” He pointed out all the things that wrestling had taught him growing up: humility, discipline, hard work. Plus, he said, “It’s a great sport that teaches people how to do the best with what you have. It can benefit your life in a lot of different ways.” (The female moderator chimed in, “But it will also hurt,” which got a laugh.) At one point, Robles is asked why he selected wrestling. He answered, half-seriously, “It’s the only sport where they can’t run away from you.”
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Jharrel Jerome.
Cinematographer for the film was Salvatore Totino, who also did the cinematography for the under-rated Beck & Woods sci-fi vehicle “65.” He came in close with his camera on Jharrel Jerome’s face and eyes. Jharrel shows what he is thinking with his eyes and his expressions (like most good actors). He is great in this part. The editor for the film was Brett M. Reed, who also edited M. Night Shymalan’s “Old” (2021) and “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” (2023).
SCREENPLAY
Anthony Robles speaking from the stage of the Music Box Theater on October 17, 2024, at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival.
However, there were some screenplay quotes that border on saccharine. Examples: “Ain’t nothin’ to it but to do it.”
“Find a way to win.”
(Judy Robles to her son): “If his mother doesn’t accept him, how will he ever accept himself? You can show them that anything is possible, because you showed me.”
“A man’s character is his fate.”
[That last one struck me as timely in light of the looming presidential election.]
REAL LIFE Nike’s Phil Knight appointed Anthony to Nike’s Speakers’ Bureau in 2011. In 2012, ESPN used Robles as a commentator on wrestling. In 2012 President Obama appointed him to the Presidential Council on Fitness. In 2014 Anthony’s mother, Judy, earned her PhD at Arizona State, where she now works as the Assistant Dean of Students.
CONCLUSION
The music utilized in the film should be praised. Alexandre Desplat, who also composed the music in another CIFF feature, “The Piano Lesson,” composed the original score. There are several points where music helps convey the message, as when Robles is training and a rap song is heard in the background. The wrestling matches, in addition to being realistic and well-executed, build tension while expertly utilizing background music.
This one will be a crowd favorite. I liked it very much; I feel sure that audiences will, too.
(“Unstoppable” will screen again at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 18th at the AMC Newcity 14 in Chicago.)