Reversal (2001) User Reviews

zeroes in on the struggles of life and ignores the good stuff

[tommyboy-16 · 7/10 · 16 November 2003]

A decent movie that makes you think about athletics in general from a parent's perspective. This could be about parents wanting anything that they value for their child.

I felt the Dad was a good dad that was making the best with the hand delt him. He did not push his son without caring for him or without some reason. Some make the Dad look awful and that is not the truth. None of them had a great home life. He was not even the stereotypical father that was living through his son's victories becasue he was state champ himself. He just wanted his son to have a college education, that he did not have. He wanted more for his son than a mining job like him.

The wrestling was very good but you don't see that much sports action. I gave this movie a 7. I only gave it a seven for the fact that some of the choices were not how I think a human in that situation would choose. I also feel there were some situations in the movie not explained or were not real. The wrestling was real but some of the situations did not come off to me as real. The movie seemed to have an identiy crisis, it did not know what it wanted to be.

Surprisingly Good for the Budget

[randyuns · 6/10 · 31 August 2002]

Hard to believe this movie was made for only $500,000. Very professional, beautifully photographed, and it held my interest. Most, if not all, the acting was quite good. Good depiction of how high school wrestling used to be. However, with the pot, alcohol and references to sex, I would say it is inappropriate for my high school wrestler to see.

A reminder of what's really important ............

[merklekranz · 7/10 · 24 March 2010]

Although "Reversal" is a youth wrestling movie, it really has a message that runs true in any sport. The message is quite universal and that is, if parents try and relive their fantasies through their children, it inevitably proves disastrous for everyone. Children who are pressured to be the best athletes where winning is everything, eventually stop having fun. When a sport ceases being fun it is time to quit, and that is exactly what often happens with children who are pressured in sports. So at that point everyone loses, and parent - child relationships are severely strained. This movie explores just such a scenario, and might be a real eye opener for both parents and youth athletes alike. - MERK

Wrestling With Issues

[Lechuguilla · 9 August 2006]

The word "reversal" is a scoring term in competitive wrestling. It is also the title of an Alan Vint directed film about a high school wrestler named Leo who questions his own motivations for wrestling, and confronts his well-meaning but pushy father who also happens to be the wrestling team coach. The father sees a wrestling scholarship as a way for his son to escape a dreary future working in the Pennsylvania coal fields that surround the town where the story takes place. The kid appreciates his father's love, but grows tired of the endless training and self-discipline. A big issue in the story is the unhealthful practice of weight loss that was, at one time, part of the real-life training regimen among American high school wrestlers.

Based on the real life of wrestler and screenwriter Jimi Petulla, "Reversal" is a simple, straightforward story packaged in a film devoid of stylistic flourishes. What you see is what you get. As such, the film comes across as an after school special, aimed mostly at young wrestlers and other athletes. On the other hand, non-athletes may find value in the film as a realistic portrayal of the relationship between father and son, in contemporary America.

The film's strength is also its weakness. Real-life wrestlers play key roles. Hence, the wrestling matches are quite authentic. But wrestlers do not necessarily make good actors. And in this film, their performances, for the most part, are wooden and stilted. Indeed, the real-life wrestler who portrays Leo mumbles his lines, rendering dialogue that is almost inaudible at times. I was impressed, however, with the performance of Kelly Vint, as Leo's romantic interest.

For a low-budget film, "Reversal" is well made. The cinematography looks professional and the soundtrack sounds professional. Given the film's runtime and the simple plot, the pace could have been improved with some editing out of unnecessary scenes.

"Reversal" reminds me of the film "Prefontaine" (1997), which has a similar theme, though different sport. The plots of both films convey a sense of the constant and agonizing struggles required of young athletes, as they train to win. Ultimately, as "Reversal" shows, it's up to each young athlete, not the parents, to say whether "being a winner" is worth all that pain and sacrifice.

Good story with authentic wrestling

[tubarmencart · 8/10 · 19 February 2002]

Whether or not you like wrestling, this movie is a good story about a parent pushing his kid too hard in athletics. The main character, Leo, is pushed by his father his entire life to be a great wrestler. His dad is even the high school coach. Leo, a district champion, faces a new challenge when a new wrestler, Thurman Ellis (played by Univ. of MO wrestler Jeremy Spates) moves to his town to challenge Leo in his weight class. Leo also struggles throughout the movie to make weight. Some of the scenes with Leo cutting weight shed a bad light on the sport of wrestling but it is an accurate depiction of what some wrestlers go through. This isn't another cheesy remake of Vision Quest. The acting is solid, the wrestling is outstanding and the story in interesting.

Worst Movie ever made!

[BobbyBo02 · 1/10 · 21 December 2008]

Where can I start with this movie. As a long time wrestler and now a Coach I can not stand this movie. I hate it with a passion. Have I cut weight have I seen others cut weight? Yes! I had a tough father who was my coach knew a lot of wrestlers that were in the same situation. All this sport did was give a bad name to all wrestlers everywhere. The weight cutting was over kill. When he shows the 8 year old cutting weight is also over kill. Never in my life have I seen a child cutting weight. NEVER and if I did that coach would probably be in a trash can somewhere because I don't know of one youth coach that would see that as acceptable behavior.

Second how could I ever say that this is a good wrestling movie. The kid works hard and quits in the end. What message are we sending to the young people in this country that its OK to quit and not finish what we started because its just to hard. Guess what wrestling isn't a sport for the weak and were telling our kids that its OK to quit.

Sacrifice is part of any sport. There needs to be a film that shows my favorite sport for what it is the greatest sport in the world. A sport that shows young men and women (yes I said women. Its an Olympic sport now folks) what they are made of. Any wrestler who enjoys this movie no longer has my respect.

I Understood It

[KingOfLullaby · 10/10 · 16 February 2004]

Although, yes, some of the choices in this movie were difficult to understand for most people, it is because they have never been through what Leo went through. As a fellow wrestler this movie appealed immensely to me because i could identify with everything the main character was going through. The dropping weight, the dehydration, and the competition on the mat was depicted flawlessly in this movie because it was made by someone who understands what wrestlers go through. This is not an attack on you personally tommyboy16, but unless you are to go through stuff like dropping weight and starving, and training like that which was depicted in the movie, it will be difficult to understand, but that is not a reflection of the quality of the movie. The overall message appeals to everybody, but the little details of the experiences of the main character will most likely appeal to athletes more. That's all, enough said.

Good 35mm film has been wasted...

[cbwatts1138 · 1/10 · 23 December 2002]

I unfortunately have seen this film at a screening at the Hollywood Theaters. A simple trip to the official website of this independent movie would show this film is recieving outstanding reviews. What! Kurt Angle! Oh my goodness Sting! When the producers shove a camera in the face of someone invited to see a film, of course they will say good things. This film suffered from bad casting (try using a real lead actor instead of a kid from high school who seemed asleep the whole time), poor musical score, distracting cinematography, cheesy one liners in almost every sentence such as "Woo Woo!!" Yikes, did that make this viewer cringe. Also, locations where poorly chosen, especially a trip to California from the local county airport. This bashing could go on for days however there is some good to this film. A surprisingly decent performance by the little kid was one thing that stood out from the rest. However, after a painful 3 hours (felt like 5) of watching, this film fails to entertain.

A must-see for parents, especially parents of athletes!

[rwc-1 · 10/10 · 24 April 2002]

Jimi Petulla has done a more than noteworthy job of addressing the repercussions faced by parents who want their children to succeed, but sometimes go too far in trying to make it happen. Based on a true story, REVERSAL is about a father-son relationship and is told with high school wrestling as the backdrop.

As a lifelong fan of amateur wrestling, I thank Mr. Petulla for his authentic portrayal of the sport I cherish, and for attempting to show the world that the lessons learned in sport, especially wrestling, are transferable to life.

So what

[jdoan-4 · 3/10 · 12 September 2006]

This film is about the lengths wrestlers take to loose weight and the pressure parents put on their kids to be successful. So what. These are important issues, and their are some good films that deal with these topics (Dead Poets Society and Death of a Salesman deal somewhat with the latter--I am not familiar with any other wrestling movies), but this movie is not compelling in the least bit. This movie is poorly written, poorly directed, and poorly acted. The dialog is a fake as John Kerry. The movies strives to be witty, but it fails. The direction is not very good. I am sure wrestlers would enjoy seeing a five minute match, but those of us not familiar with wrestling could care less. Many times the movie will cut to a reaction shot of an actor who is not giving a reaction. Which brings me to the acting, or the lack thereof. The people who are striving to be actors really aren't acting. They are barely saying their lines. Some actors can be convincing as athletes (try Hillary Swank in Million Dollar Baby, a great "sports" film), but few athletes, if any, can be convincing as anything else. This is an after school movie with aspirations of being a Lifetime movie.

You People Just Don't Understand

[afshorty0205 · 10/10 · 18 February 2005]

I Am a wrestle so nobody can understand how much we go through but us. Losing weight just sucks bad no joke no way to get through it, but what doesn't help for most of us is our parents. They put enormous pressure on us to win. Eventually we just crack like Leo. They nailed this movie perfect and if you liked it watch Vision Quest. Also you people need to get this straight, nobody works harder at a sport then we do, don't even think about comparing seriously lol football plays , baseball, not one of you has it harder then us. We run sweat, run sweat, and work out. Our day consist of running, sweating, practicing and watching people eat. I don't expect you guys to understand but seriously don't judge us you have no idea what hell we go through - - - - -A Wrestlers Opinion.

Nice to see a good quality wrestling film, from someone with knowledge of the sport.

[Claremore · 10/10 · 18 February 2002]

Loved the movie, Thanks for bringing back so many memories, and keeping wrestling the best sport in the world. Finally a wrestling movie from someone that actually knows the sport. This is a must see wrestling movie. All wrestlers can relate to the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices shown in the movie.

Excellent-down-to-earth film!!!!

[aware11 · 10/10 · 22 February 2002]

Reversal addresses current family issues that most films ignore now-days. The movie causes the audience (parents or sports enthusiasts) to reflect on the true meaning of love and life. 'Letting go' of a loved one is the main goal of the movie - and it reaches the goal with a 10+. Excellent script.

Once you wrestled, everything else in life is easy. --Dan Gable

[Spyglass75 · 9/10 · 23 January 2009]

This is definitely a great movie for every serious wrestler to see. BobbyBo02, I don't want to be offensive whatsoever, but I would gladly lose your respect for liking this movie. I am currently a college wrestler, and with the exception of the short clip of the 8 year old cutting weight, the depiction of cutting weight is very accurate. No one should have to go through this, but it is what we do.

Also, the point isn't that he quit; it's that he needed to find a better life. Sometimes when we lose, we win.

I don't know where you coach, but my coach has always taught me life lessons. It's not always about winning, even though it's a vital component of any sport: that's what people need to figure out. I'll be a coach soon, and I would love to show this movie to my wrestlers.

great movie...a must see for any true wrestling fan!!!

[bauerr · 10/10 · 18 February 2002]

Reversal is a movie that needs to be seen by anybody that has anything to do with the sport of wrestling, and even those who don't. It is a touching plot that tells the truth of so many true life stories of those in the sport. Reversal lets those who have no idea what it is like to be a wrestler, grasp the basic concept and what it takes and what a wrestler goes through. This movie is great. SEE IT!!!!

reversal what a movie

[shedman44 · 10/10 · 19 February 2002]

my wife and i drove over 2 1/2 hours to see this film it made me realise what my sons life mean to them not me. i know alot of fathers including myself that push their sons to far and this film made me realize what i was doing to them. so please put this movie in the theaters so all fathers can see the samething that i have saw

you will enjoy!

[keiru827 · 10/10 · 19 February 2002]

Mr Petulla obviously put a lot of time and effort and heart into the making of this film....the wrestling is genuine and the story is heart rendering ...we took a group of folks to view the film.. It was truly enjoyed by all and certainly made some of the folks in the audience do some evaluating... I hope you take the time to see it .

In the Spirit of the Sport - Everyone Can relate to this movie!

[goldmanm · 19 February 2002]

My son and I went to see this movie together. Over the past years(18 to be exact) we both grew up together in the sport of wrestling. Although our relationship was different from Jimi's it was also very much the same. All fathers want their children to have opportunities that they didn't have and want to be a positive influence (roll model) in their life. However, in doing so we all make mistakes. We never intend to do anything or say anything that will hurt our children, but sometimes it happens anyway. The sport of wrestling requires a lot of dedication, because you not only have to watch your weight constantly, you also have to keep up your grades at the same time. We all want our sons to be State Champions and go to a Division I college with a full ride so the more talent they have the more we push them. Unfortunately sometimes we push them too hard and we push them right out of the sport and away from us. It is very important to understand what your children want, not what you want for your children. This movie was very true to life and it really hits home. No matter how you and your sons personal life has turned out you will see things that you can relate to in this movie. It was portrayed very realisticly and the wrestling scenes were great. Can't wait until it comes to our area so I can go see it again.

looking for signs of life

[oklahomafineartsfoundation · 22 April 2002]

Generally speaking, American films are the best in the world. The English expect their films to resemble stage plays, the French demand a ballet of sorts, the Italians need to see an opera on the screen, and the Germans, a military maneuver. But American film is traditionally obligated only to provide fun and excitement as it explores the caves in which life has been hiding. "Reversal" does just that.

Unlike many movies about the problems of ordinary people, however, "Reversal" portrays the ordinary people as ones you'd like to know, not as posturing dimwits and disjointed rubes. And unlike most "coming of age" movies, it focuses on a specific conflict -- the one between father and son; "Reversal" does not expose the protagonists (and us) to unrelated difficulties and extraneous events, for the sake of "color."

The wrestling scenes are perfectly executed, and almost overpower the underlying art of this dramatic film -- but not quite. The acting is simple, and surprising effective. The sets are immediately comfortable, and the camera moves like an Oklahoman. If only it has occasionally shown us, as a brief glance, some silent expression or bird-on-the-wing that was somehow supplementary to the dialogue -- a loose end -- "Reversal" could have been a small masterpiece. As is, it's a "7."

Kevin Cisneros

Worth seeing.

[scottmallon · 28 September 2003]

Fortunately for me I get HBO here in Thailand. I've seen this movie a few times, once while in Cambodia and once while in Thailand. This movie is a little syrupy and the acting is not the best but for some reason everything works and the movie turns out to be pretty good. I am a relatively new father of two and this definitely is a father's movie. Check it out.

Did I see the same movie?

[michael_wasson · 25 September 2007]

Yes, the wrestling is well-done and authentic looking. But for a wrestling movie, there is not much wrestling.

Apart from that....it was pretty much a downer and showed everything negative about a otherwise great sport.

Dangerous weight-cutting, screwed up parents and venomous rivalries! Gee! What a great "Family Movie"!

Lots of characters but not a lot of depth. And the only real interesting character turns out to be a pathological liar! Sorry, but in the end, this wrestling movie is more about bulimia and quitting than anything remotely positive.