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Poster for The Champ

The Champ

The most poignant love-triangle of all - a father, his son, and the woman who came between them.

1979 · 2h 1m · PG Drama, Family
Directed by Franco Zeffirelli

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Overview

The more you love, the harder you fight. The world looks at Billy Flynn and sees a has-been who seemingly never was, an ex-boxing champion slammed to the mat years ago by booze and gambling. But Billy's son TJ sees what the world doesn't. He knows what his flawed but loving father is, was and always will be - The Champ.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
40%
Tomatometer
Fresh

A three-alarm, three-hanky movie of the highest order, perfect for your kids who don't get to see many truly sad films.

Michael Booth, Denver Post
Rotten

The tear-jerking is so determined and persistent that your ducts feel as if they'd been worked over with a catheter.

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Rotten

A pointless update of King Vidor's '30s weepie.

Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Rotten

The most offputting thing about such canny, tear-stained movies as The Champ is not their naivete but their unholy sophistication. These movies don't mean to deal with the world as it really is, but as it should be.

Vincent Canby, New York Times

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