The Champ

Based on the 1931 film of the same name, The Champ follows aging boxer Billy Flynn (Jon Voight) as his relationship with his young son (Ricky Schroder’s T.J.) is threatened by the sudden reemergence of the boy’s mother (Faye Dunaway’s Annie). Filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli delivers an often egregiously deliberate drama that rarely (if ever) wholeheartedly grabs the viewer’s interest and attention, with the somewhat arms-length atmosphere compounded by an overly familiar narrative that contains few surprises (ie everything unfolds almost exactly as one might’ve initially guessed). The picture’s failure is especially disappointing given that it’s quite well made and boasts several above-average performances, as Voight’s compelling turn is certainly matched by Schroeder’s occasionally histrionic yet generally affecting work as Billy’s loyal son. (And it’s always a pleasure to see Jack Warden strutting his stuff, to be sure.) All the positive attributes in the world can’t compensate for a tedious, padded-out midsection, however, and it does seem likely that even the most patient viewer will have checked out long before the admittedly stirring climax rolls around – which confirms The Champ‘s place as a decent melodrama trapped within the confines of a bloated disappointment.

** out of ****