TIFF Review: ‘Unstoppable’ is a By-the-Book Film about an Athlete Who’s Anything But That

The best athletes don’t just have talent but a great story to motivate them and inspire others. That’s certainly true of Anthony Robles, who was born with only one leg but chose to become a wrestler, working hard to become the best. He’s the main character in the appropriately-titled Unstoppable, a standard sports movie that examines the complexities of his home life and the tireless passion he brings to his craft, not immune to setbacks and thoughts of failure but determined to persevere to do what he knows he can do better than most who have two legs.

Robles (Jharrel Jerome) definitely has talent, even if those watching him are often surprised to see a teenager with only one leg facing off against someone who seems to have a clear physical advantage. With the support of his high school coach, Bobby Williams (Michael Peña), Robles considers his options for the future, disappointed to receive only one full-ride offer from faraway Drexel in Philadelphia. Despite a stern warning from Arizona State University wrestling coach Shawn Charles (Don Cheadle) that he’s good but won’t necessarily make the team, Robles enrolls there and stays close to his family to help his mother Judy (Jennifer Lopez) and his siblings make ends meet.

From this film’s first scene, Robles’ battle isn’t getting people to see that he’s good but rather impressing the right people and making sure that he’s able to keep his head in the game. There are no flashbacks to the inciting incidents that got him interested in wrestling in the first place or of his very supportive mother encouraging him to do something that many parents might caution a child with only one leg not to bother going for at all. The film’s title indicates a more favorable ending for a protagonist who is increasingly frustrated by the obstacles he faces, mainly because he knows he can do what it takes if he’s just given the opportunity.

Unstoppable serves as the directorial debut of William Goldenberg, best known for his work as an editor on films like Argo and Zero Dark Thirty. He has also worked on sports films, including Concussion and Air, which makes him an understandable choice to helm this film. It takes clear inspiration from Rocky and other sports classics, featuring a number of scenes of actual wrestling matches but spending more time on what makes Robles who he is and the challenge of putting his ambitions first with so many mouths to feed at home.

Jerome, an Emmy winner for When They See Us who recently headlined the TV series I’m a Virgo, is a strong choice to play Robles, conveying both his physical prowess and the protective instinct he feels for his mother. Lopez draws out Judy’s love for her son and all her children, as well as the conflict she feels in remaining with their father (Bobby Cannavale), a self-involved tyrant who constantly complains about not being praised and has no problem reminding Robles that he’s not actually his father but he should be lucky that he has someone around at all. Cheadle, often quite entertaining in his TV roles, doesn’t add much to his portrayal of Charles, serving mostly as a sobering reminder that life doesn’t always reward those who work hardest.

This film features a feel-good true story and presents it in a straightforward way, charting Robles’ path from motivated high school student to proven college champion. As one of two sports movies based on real people premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival and being released by Amazon MGM Studios this December, this certainly pales in comparison to The Fire Inside, which goes further than merely showcasing a noteworthy figure on screen. This sports drama works fine but does little to enhance an already worthwhile premise.

Movie Rating: 6/10

Awards Buzz: Jerome is an actor destined for greatness, but this role isn’t likely to win him any prizes. The same goes for the film.