The Hammer

2008 • 90 minutes

About this movie

Jerry Ferro's 40th birthday has brought his life into sharp relief and it's not a pretty picture. A once-promising amateur boxer -- who quit so he wouldn't risk his perfect record of underachievement -- Jerry has been knocking around from one construction job to another and spinning his wheels in an unsatisfying relationship, all the while with an eye toward eventually getting his s*** together. His last connection to the fight game is the evening boxing class he teaches to middle-aged, middle class, middle management types at a gym in Pasadena, where he also works as a handyman. When venerable boxing coach Eddie Bell asks Jerry if he'd like to spar a couple of rounds with Malice Blake, an up-and-coming pro, Jerry reluctantly steps into the ring. Despite the ass-kicking Jerry otherwise receives, a one-punch knockdown of Blake convinces Jerry that it's time to make his return to competitive boxing. Thus ends a 20-year layoff and begins a hilarious fish-out-water quest for Olympic gold.

Ratings and reviews

This is a movie that I loved as a Carolla fan. I think I would have enjoyed it even if I wasn't. It was simply well made. Smart story telling and a great ending. Really clever dialogue and some hilarious sight gags. Easy 5 stars, regardless of what Starz network says

Got to get it on, no choice but to get it on, mandate GET IT ON. Love the movie, big fan before watching. Hope to see more movies from the Aceman soon

He's perfect and I love how he's not ... nevermind, I don't want to spoil this flick for you if you've never seen it but it's the best!