Champion

Champion is the story of two men, both of whom must fight for their families in very different ways. For one (James Cromwell’s Frank), this means facing off against a life-long adversary on a dirt track race track, and for the other (Cuba Gooding Jr.’s Red), this means grappling with the consequences of his past and seeking forgiveness from his estranged family.

Champion is the story of two men, one a champion dirt track race car driver and the other a man who witnesses his wife being gunned down by the driver. It’s an inspiring tale about redemption and forgiveness. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a movie that you should definitely rent or buy.

Champion (2010) is a well-crafted drama that addresses how the actions of one person can have a profound impact on another person’s life. The film stars Nick Nolte as a champion speed skater who, after an accident ruins his career, becomes an alcoholic and lives out his days drifting in and out of the lives of his family. He leaves behind a wife, two children, and a brother who idolizes him (played by Michael Sheen). The brother is driven to become a better man than his brother was, but he struggles with forgiving his brother for leaving him.

The story takes place over twenty years, beginning with a flashback of the main character’s glory days as a speed skater. We then flash forward to present day where we see that he has descended into alcoholism and has become estranged from his family. He is at home recovering from another drunken episode when he receives word that the son he never knew had died in Iraq. His estranged relationship with his family changes when he decides to attend the funeral instead of staying home. This act opens the door for reconciliation with his wife and brother, who ultimately decide to forgive him for all the pain he has caused them during his life.