A young Rick Schroder makes his cute-as-all-get-out film debut in this 1979 tearjerker from director Franco Zeffirelli. Jon Voight plays Billy Flynn, a former champion boxer now given to drinking, gambling, and raising his son T.J. (Schroder, billed here as Ricky) as best he can. The ups and downs of the devoted codependent pair might be enough movie on their own, but soon enough Annie (Faye Dunaway) shows up and displays a strangely protective interest in T.J. Though the plot jumps around too much to quite hold together, The Champ is certainly affecting, and all three leads take the film so earnestly that somehow it works. Voight is believable both as a boxer and as a well-intentioned screwup of a dad, and Schroder is a fine young actor (and irresistibly adorable). Special DVD features include audio commentary from Jon Voight and Rick Schroder and the documentary Behind the Scenes with the Champ. --Ali Davis
2.
This solid tearjerker fits into the pantheon of 1970s cinema as sort of a ROCKY meets KRAMER VS. KRAMER. John Voight plays Billy, an ex-champ boxer who now works at the Hialeah racetrack in Florida with his idolizing son, T.J. (Ricky Schroder). Billy has drinking and gambling problems, but still manages to be a loving single father until the boy's long lost mother (Faye Dunaway) shows up wanting her son back, and the emotional showdown begins. It all leads up to a thrilling comeback fight, and lots of tears for all concerned. This was director Franco Zeffirelli's first feature filmed in America, and he put his Florida locations to inspired use. The supporting cast is filled with lots of familiar faces, including Elija Cook, Jack Warden and Joan Blondell. Still, this is basically a three-character piece, and they are each amazing: Voight is fearlessly raw and vulnerable as Billy; Schroder--only nine at the time--projects incredible emotion and charm, and Dunaway brings a great blend of glamour and insecurity to her role as the deadbeat mother who, just like Billy, wants a second chance at redemption.
(2 votes)
3.
The more you love, the harder you fight.
The world looks at Billy Flynn and sees a has-been who seemingly never was, an ex-boxing champion slammed to the mat years ago by booze and gambling. But Billy's son TJ sees what the world doesn't. He knows his flawed but loving father is, was and always will be The Champ.
The Frances Marion screen story that became 1931's double Academy Award winner The Champ and 1953's The Clown is winningly updated in this heart-tugger directed by Franco Zeffirelli and starring Jon Voight, Faye Dunaway and Ricky Schroder. Voight plays Billy, the big-hearted brawler who returns to the ring to provide for his son after the boy's wealthy, estranged mother (Dunaway) begins to vie for the boys affection. And Schroder makes his feature-film debut a memorable one, winning a Golden Globe Award (Male New Star of the Year) for his honest and moving portrayal of the steadfast and loving son.
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