Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.0

Chuck Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman August 14, 2017

Consider of all the sports legends who haven't had a movie made about them, all of the amazing stories that have yet to be told and incredible accomplishments yet to be immortalized on film, and then consider Chuck Wepner, a cult icon in the boxing industry who took Muhammad Ali 15 rounds but, perhaps more interestingly, fought a personal life wrought with addiction and womanizing. Not only is he the subject of the entertainingly biographical Chuck, he was also the model for Sylvester Stallone's breakout film, the multi-Oscar winning Rocky. Chuck is an unusual film in that much of the story centers around his own story as it was immortalized in Rocky. He meets Stallone, tries out for a part in the sequel, and cheers on the film during Oscar night. But it's also the story of a broken man, a man who couldn't handle the success, who allowed his vices to drown out his success and remove his opportunities. The film essentially bookends with him fighting a bear in the ring. A literal bear. This is a man who took Ali to the brink. It's the story of a legend's rise and fall and, the audience hopes, redemption in some form or fashion for a man who wants to be remembered for who he is, not the fictional character he influenced.

Real and Fake Rocky.

Chuck Wepner (Liev Schreiber) is a New Jersey-based professional boxer who has held the state title and has his sights set on bigger opponents on the sport's largest stage. When Ali defeats Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle," his shot at a title seems all but gone. But when Don King calls and wishes to promote Ali's next fight based on race, Wepner is selected as the opponent; he's the only white man ranked in the top ten. Wepner pushes Ali to his limit, knocking the champ down and taking the losing effort 15 rounds. It's a major victory even in defeat and opens up new opportunities to fuel his addiction to women and burgeoning addiction to drugs, much to the dismay of his wife Phyllis (Elisabeth Moss), who leaves him on several occasions. His fight with Ali also inspires Sylvester Stallone (Morgan Spector) to write Rocky. That film's success only sees Wpener's life plummet further as his vices take control of his life and threaten to cost him everything he holds dear.

Chuck isn't a story of a man fighting in the ring. It's the story of a man fighting outside of it. He fought Ali in the ring, but he fights himself outside of it. And yet he doesn't necessarily realize he's fighting himself. No amount of time at the speed bag can help him overcome his personal demons that, for much of the film, cost him his wife and child. It's the story of a man who finds fame in the ring but cannot find himself outside of it. He struggles with his position in life and the access to vice it allows him. Women and drugs are his crutches and his achilles heels. The greater the victory -- whether those 15 rounds with Ali or capitalizing on his extended celebrity thanks to Rocky -- the greater the personal challenges and demons he faces. His wife leaves him multiple times. His daughter all but disowns him. It's a sobering story not so much about squandered potential -- Chuck certainly gave everything he had in the ring in that fight with Ali -- but a squandered life, a man whose inability to hang on in the real world was overshadowed by his stamina in the ring and his quasi-immortalization in a classic film. It's an interesting dichotomy that the film explores to full satisfaction.

Boxing films often seem to bring out the best in a cast, and Chuck is no exception. The collected ensemble is fantastic, fitting and functioning in the 70s era with an impressive knowing and cadence that extends beyond the period attire and grooming techniques. The actors bring an authenticity to the film that extends well beyond the basics and finds a sincere depth of characterization that reinforces the narrative points and brings the tale to life. It's not simply a story, it's a life fully realized with Chuck at its center and with his wife, trainer, brother, and the other individuals who don't necessarily shape Chuck's life but rather who are influenced by it, and often adversely, around it. His wife leaves him. His brother is forced to mortgage his home to bail him out of jail. Their depression, anger, and frustration are evident at all times. Liev Schreiber is terrific in the lead. One can read the emotions on his face like a book after his fight with Ali, but one can also read the writing on the wall as his life further deteriorates. Schreiber seems to know the man inside and out, handling both the boxing and the vices -- and what each do to his physical and emotional well-being alike -- with impressive depth and authority in one of the better lead performances in a Boxing film this side of Rocky.

Chuck Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Chuck's 1080p transfer reflects the director-intended period grit, which is reflective of a 16mm source. A web search didn't conclusively reveal that the film was shot on 16mm or whether it was simply processed to appear that way, but the result is nevertheless a handsomely gritty film that not only reinforces a period texture but reinforces the man's texture, too. That said, some shots do appear more noisy than they do naturally grainy. Details are firm and sharp. Complexities and richness abound throughout the film, whether out on the street, in bar rooms, in Chuck's home, or in the ring. Colors are well saturated and accurate, notably during the Ali boxing match, and they otherwise don't push too hard to favor a period bronzed appearance. Black levels (particularly during the Rocky theatrical screening scene) are deep and flesh tones are fine. Compression issues are minor. This is a very good looking movie and Blu-ray.

Chuck Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Chuck's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack doesn't stand tall amongst its peers, but it does hold firm. Everything is well balanced and in good working order. Its period music can be a little scratchy by its nature, but stage width along the front side comes naturally. Musical surround use is more cursory and supportive than equal participant. The stage does stretch to fully envelop the listener at boxing matches, where cheering crowds and din are fuller and more naturally presented. Narration is firm and accurate and dialogue is clear and detailed with natural front-center positioning and seamless prioritization.

Chuck Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Chuck contains one extra. All About Chuck (1080i, 3:28) briefly explores the story and characters, Liev Schreiber's love of boxing and participating in "real" fights to train and for the film, and more. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase.

Chuck Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Chuck is a solid human interest film in which boxing is but a backdrop and a propellant to fame that one man could not handle. A compelling narrative, a wonderful classic movie connection, and an exceptional lead performance make Chuck a prize-fighting winner. Paramount's Blu-ray is disappointingly short on extra goodies, but video and audio are fine. Recommended.