With the unwavering love and support of his devoted mother Judy and the encouragement of his coaches, Anthony Robles fights through adversity to earn a spot on the Arizona State Wrestling team. But it will demand everything he has, physically and mentally, to achieve his ultimate quest to become an NCAA Champion.
Jharrel Jerome
Anthony Robles
Anthony Robles
Anthony Robles Double
Jennifer Lopez
Judy Robles
Michael Peña
Coach Bobby Williams
Don Cheadle
Coach Shawn Charles
Bobby Cannavale
Rick Robles
Mykelti Williamson
Eddie
Shawn Hatosy
Tom Brands
Noen Perez
Nicolas Robles
Carlos Solórzano
Andrew Robles
Julianna Gamiz
Ronnie Robles
Elijah James
Joshua 'Bo' Robles
Johnni DiJulius
McDonough
Parker Sack
Dorian
Chimechi Oparanozie
Brian Corwin
Jordan Nathaniel Wallace
Walker
Benjamin Barrett
Solis
Corey Jantzen
Markarian
Shane Sparks
Shane Sparks
Quint Kessenich
Quint Kessenich
Juan Magana
Manny
Timothy Hornor
Bennett
Andrew Santiago
Young Caterer
Erin Goldenberg
H.S. Snickering Girl #1
Tristina Lee Bryant
H.S. Snickering Girl #2
Gabe Kessler
Mesa Wrestler
Mason Eaglin
Seasons Wrestler
Haiden Pino
Jimmy
Jason Medwin
Seasons Coach
Michael Weaver
Gary Sherman
Landon Robinson
Young Anthony
Alex Barone
Taylor
Angel Rivera
Finals Referee
Tiffany Cornwell
Allison
Adam Amin
Adam Amin
Andrew Borba
Dan Kurring
Melissa Diaz
Claire
Mari Worden
Judy Robles Double
Director
William Goldenberg
Book
Anthony Robles
Book
Austin Murphy
Screenplay
Eric Champnella
Screenplay
John Hindman
Screenplay
Alex Harris
January 18, 2025
6
Anthony Robles is a wrestler with ambitions to reach the top of the American collegiate championships. That's going to be more of a challenge for him than most as he only has one leg, but this is not a man who is going to shy away from that challenge. It's a competent Jharrel Jerome who plays him for the dramatic elements of the story whilst it's the man himself doing the far more energetic wrestling aspects and the unremarkalble Jennifer Lopez simply fails to shine at all as his mother, caught up in a torrid relationship. When this drama focusses on the sheer passion of this man and his determination to succeed, it works well enough, but it spends far too much time on the familial discord aspects of their lives. Sure, these are contributory factors to the remarkable nature of his achievements, but they drag the pace down and soak us in a melodrama that rather takes from the potency of a story that's well worth the telling. Michael Peña delivers better as his no-nonsense but ultimately motivational coach and the action photography really does give us a sense of the effort and hard work required by Robles to prove to his peers and himself that he had what it takes to reach the top in a very competitive sport where he would be given no quarter. Personally, I'd have preferred a documentary to this drama as Robles himself is the star and the others really just clutter up the story with their over-scripted dialogue and sentimentality. I did quite like the intimate nature of the photography during the action scenes. A bit juddery at times, but it made the action on the mat all the more visceral for a character who lived and breathed his sport. It just goes to show what can be achieved when the attitude is positive and the support structure is there to facilitate that.