Adam Carolla, the rangy comedian who used to lob wisecracks on radio and TV programs such as “Loveline” and “The Man Show,” has finally arrived as a movie leading man.
Who knows how long it’ll last — he isn’t Brad Pitt — but Carolla’s pet project, “The Hammer,” is a surprisingly nice little film. Funny and endearing, the picture sneaks up on you in pleasant ways.
Carolla concocted the original story, which was scripted by a longtime writing pal, Kevin Hench. The comic was once a Golden Gloves boxer and underemployed carpenter, both of which play into the movie’s plot.
Carolla plays Jerry Ferro, who’s having a rough time. As he turns 40, he loses his construction job and his girlfriend in one swift motion.
A promising amateur pugilist in his youth, Jerry now teaches boxing. Out of the blue, an Olympic coach suggests he enter the upcoming Olympic trials — a prospect that fills our over-the-hill hero with dreams of glory.
Or at least as much glory as Carolla’s shaggy, self-deprecating persona can summon up. That’s one of the things that make “The Hammer” work: Carolla undersells the concept. (For the opposite approach, see “Rocky Balboa.”)
There’s a love story mixed in, too. Jerry gets something going with an attorney in his night class. But this is also a fitful, bumpy ride — their first date, a visit to the La Brea tar pits, is not exactly a trip to the moon on gossamer wings.
The love interest is played by Heather Juergensen, also one of the film’s producers (and Hench’s wife). She previously starred in “Kissing Jessica Stein,” and that film’s director, Charles Herman-Wurmfeld, returns to those duties here.
It all sounds rather incestuous, but that’s how indie movies get made. “Kissing Jessica Stein” was the kind of winsome lesbian romance that Carolla would ridicule mercilessly in his radio-host role, but the combination of different talents makes for an agreeable blend.
It might sound odd, but sometimes underachieving is a good subject for a movie. Carolla understands that, and his shambling hero is a refreshing change of pace from the usual indie fare.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
