Chuck (film)
Chuck | |
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Directed by | Philippe Falardeau |
Written by | |
Produced by |
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Starring |
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Cinematography | Nicolas Bolduc |
Edited by | Richard Comeau |
Music by | Corey Allen Jackson |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | IFC Films |
Release dates |
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Running time | 98 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $502,518[1] |
Chuck (released as The Bleeder in the UK and Ireland) is a 2016 American biographical sports drama film directed by Philippe Falardeau and written by Jeff Feuerzeig, Jerry Stahl, Michael Cristofer and Liev Schreiber, who also stars in the title role. The cast includes Elisabeth Moss, Ron Perlman, Naomi Watts, Jim Gaffigan, Michael Rapaport, Pooch Hall, Morgan Spector, Jason Jones and Catherine Corcoran. The film depicts the life of heavyweight boxer Chuck Wepner and his 1975 title fight with the heavyweight champion, Muhammad Ali, which inspired Sylvester Stallone's character and screenplay for the 1976 film Rocky.
Plot
Chuck Wepner, known as the 'Bayonne Bleeder', is a heavyweight boxer known for his iron chin and reckless behaviour. He lives with his second wife Phyllis and daughter Kimberly in New Jersey. By 1974, he was rising up the boxing ranks hopeful for an eventual fight with the champion
Al later calls Chuck and says that Don King wants him to fight Ali under the pretences of a "race thing", as Chuck was the only white boxer in the top 10 heavyweight rankings. Al subsequently takes Chuck to the Grand Hotel in upstate New York to train professionally. However, following the one-sided press conferences with Ali and negative press the fight receives, Chuck feels nervous. Phyliss eventually comes to see Chuck, and she forgives and comforts him.
Although the fight is largely one-sided, Chuck defies predictions of being knocked out in the third round, almost going the full distance against the champion and even knocking him down. Despite the loss, Wepner becomes a local hero. Though he is irritated to hear claims from Ali that Wepner's knockdown of him was due to a foot stomp, Chuck enjoys his newfound celebrity and becomes the basis of Sylvester Stallone's film Rocky. However, Chuck becomes increasingly addicted to his fame and begins taking cocaine. He subsequently becomes infatuated with female bartender Linda. Phyllis soon catches on to Wepner's unfaithful behavior and kicks him out of the house.
After engaging in a mixed wrestling/boxing match with
Three years later, Chuck's psyche worsens, and he is increasingly disheveled, arriving to Kimberly's parent-teach conference on cocaine. He is later arrested and imprisoned for possession of drugs with intent to sell. During his time in prison, he sees Stallone filming for his movie Lock Up. Chuck soon humbles himself and realizes that he was trying too hard to live up to his superstardom as the 'real Rocky', when he should be appreciative with who he has in his life.
After being released from prison for good behavior, he is given an unsanctioned charity bout with Victor the Wrestling Bear to make ends meet. Afterwards, he is visited by Linda, and the two become a couple.
End credits reveal that Chuck and Linda still live in Bayonne, and that he and his daughter have reconciled and speak daily.
Cast
- Liev Schreiber as Chuck Wepner, a heavyweight boxer.[2]
- Angel Kolev as Young Chuck Wepner 18 years old
- Naomi Watts as Linda, Wepner's third wife.[2]
- Elisabeth Moss as Phyllis, Wepner's second wife.[3]
- Jim Gaffigan as John Stoehr, Wepner's best friend.[4]
- Michael Rapaport as Don Wepner, Wepner's estranged brother.[4]
- Boyan Bankov as Young Don 18 years old
- Pooch Hall as Muhammad Ali, the heavyweight champion whose 1975 fight earned a sudden fame for Wepner.[4]
- Morgan Spector as Sylvester Stallone, the actor-screenwriter who wrote Rocky right after the 1975 fight.[4]
- Ron Perlman as Al Braverman, Wepner's manager and trainer who guided him to the fight with Ali.[5]
- Kelvin Hale as Charlie Polite, Wepner's training partner for the Ali fight.
- Jason Jones as Arty
- William Hill as Paddy Flood
- Wass Stevens as Johnny Dicesare
- Sadie Sink as Kimberley
- Meld Ludwig as Young Kimberley
- Catherine Corcoran as Sandy
- Marissa Rose Gordon as Penelope (Bikini Girl #2)
Production
On May 10, 2011, it was announced that
On October 30, 2015, additional cast was announced, including
Principal photography on the film began on October 26, 2015, in Suffern, New York,[8] where some scenes were shot at the Lafayette Theatre.[9] Filming ended on December 4, 2015.[10]
Release
The film had its world premiere at the
Critical response
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2017) |
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 81%, based on 84 reviews, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Chuck is hit with a handful of sports biopic clichés but ultimately punches above its weight, largely thanks to a muscular performance from Liev Schreiber."[17] On Metacritic the film has a score of 68 out of 100 score, based on 29 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[18] Glenn Kenny of the NY Times found the performances favorable writing, "Liev Schreiber has almost no physical resemblance to the boxer Chuck Wepner, but he is a terrific actor who pulls off that portrayal, partly through understatement."[19]
See also
- The Brawler, another biographical film about Wepner.
- List of boxing films
References
- ^ "Chuck (2016)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 7, 2015). "'Ray Donovan's Liev Schreiber, Naomi Watts To Star In Chuck Wepner Underdog Ring Saga 'The Bleeder'". deadline.com. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ a b Hipes, Patrick (October 22, 2015). "Elisabeth Moss Joins 'The Bleeder's Corner With Schreiber & Watts". deadline.com. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Pedersen, Erik (October 30, 2015). "'The Bleeder' Coagulates Cast With Jim Gaffigan, Michael Rapaport, Pooch Hall & Morgan Spector". deadline.com. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ a b Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 11, 2015). "Ron Perlman Joins 'The Bleeder'". deadline.com. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ a b Lodderhose, Diana (May 10, 2011). "Watts, Schreiber to star in 'Bleeder'". variety.com. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ^ A. Lincoln, Ross (November 11, 2015). "'Headshot' Global Rights Nabbed By Nikkatsu, Vertical & XYZ; Remstar Lands Canadian Rights To 'The Bleeder' – AFM". deadline.com. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ^ "On the Set for 10/30/15: Keanu Reeves Starts on John Wick Sequel, Seth Rogen and Zac Efron Wrap Up Neighbors 2". ssninsider.com. October 30, 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-11-01. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ^ "First look at Liev Schreiber and Elisabeth Moss on the set of 'The Bleeder'". onlocationvacations.com. October 31, 2015. Archived from the original on August 27, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ^ "On the Set for 12/4/15: Gal Gadot Grabs Her Lasso for 'Wonder Woman', Brad Pitt Wraps 'War Machine', 'Resident Evil' Team Finish Final Chapter". SSN Insider. December 4, 2015. Archived from the original on 2017-06-10. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (July 28, 2016). "Venice Film Festival Unveils Lineup for 73rd Edition". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
- ^ "The Bleeder". Venice Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
- ^ "The Bleeder". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 14, 2016). "IFC & Showtime KO Deal For Liev Schreiber-Starrer 'The Bleeder' – Toronto". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
- ^ Cox, Gordon (March 8, 2017). "Emma Watson and Tom Hanks' 'The Circle' to Premiere at 2017 Tribeca Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
- ^ "Chuck". IFC Films. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
- ^ "The Bleeder (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
- CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
- ^ Kenny, Glenn (3 May 2017). "Review: Inside the Ring With 'Chuck,' the Real-Life Rocky". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-06-16.
External links
- Chuck at IMDb