One of the most remarkable sports stories of all time is now one of the best films of 2024. Unstoppable is the incredible true story of Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome), born with one leg and able to persevere to achieve his dream of becoming the national collegiate wrestling champion, which he eventually achieved while attending my beloved alma mater of Arizona State University.
The film marks the directorial debut of Academy Award-winning editor William Goldenberg and boasts a stacked cast of supporting actors. But first and foremost, Jerome anchors Unstoppable with a heartfelt, sincere portrayal of Anthony Robles. There’s a gentle nature to Jerome’s performance that rings true to the real-life Robles and your heart breaks for him with each obstacle thrust in his path.
Unstoppable doesn’t work if Jerome doesn’t embody Anthony, but the real sparks of the film fly within the veteran supporting cast. Don Cheadle brings all his stoic charm to ASU wrestling coach Sean Charles. The character’s growing love and appreciation for Anthony is one of the most emotional elements of the film.
Jennifer Lopez has the hefty task of bringing Anthony’s mom Judy’s story to life. In many ways, Unstoppable is just as much Judy’s story as it is Anthony’s and Lopez rises to the task. The actress has an undeniable familial bond on-screen with Jerome’s Anthony and the film creates a complex, fiery look at Anthony’s strong-but-flawed mother.
Michael Pena does some lovely, uncharacteristically subtle work as Anthony’s Mesa High School wrestling coach Bobby Williams. It’s a sneaky good supporting performance, in a film full of them. On the opposite end, Bobby Cannavale is a magnificent bastard in the role of Judy’s husband Rich. The character is a machismo-obsessed prick that’s only out for himself and Cannavale will make your skin crawl.
While most formulas for a motivational sports movie are present here, the film does a commendable job of avoiding the big dialogue cliches or forced moments that make these movies so predictable. The physical aspects also have an incredible authenticity thanks to Anthony Robles himself providing stunt double support to Jerome in the wrestling scenes. He’s still got it, folks.
On a self-indulgent note, it was extremely gratifying to see Arizona State University and the surrounding cities represented in a major film. It was also a nice touch by the director to include a soundtrack that consisted of tracks from that period, including locals that went big Jimmy Eat World. Having lived in Tempe, AZ for many years, including during Robles’s time as an athlete, it was quite special seeing his story come to life for Sun Devils (and potential future ones) by the talented people involved.
When it comes to the well-worn genre of dramatic sports biographies, Robles’ story is a breath of fresh air in an area of athletics not often explored on film. Unstoppable gives Anthony Robles’s remarkable achievements the treatment they deserve in a well-earned spotlight on the big screen. Go Devils!
Score: 4 out 5
In Select Theaters December 6, 2024 (locally at Harkins Theaters) and coming to Prime Video January 16, 2025.