At first glance, "The Hammer" is your typical sports underdog movie with classic clichés such as fan chants and the big fight or game at the movie's conclusion. But taking a closer look at the film, you discover that it makes a cultural cross-over into the hearing and Deaf world with its innovative use of open-caption during the first half of the movie and sub-titles in the second half. The audience is fully engaged throughout the film.
The deaf actors who portrayed their respective real-life counter parts were phenomenal but "Matt Hamill," played by Russell Harvard, stole the film. Harvard's likability and charismatic smile simply leap out of the film and into your heart. His on screen chemistry with "Kristi" played by Shoshannah Stern was also sincere and memorable. Furthermore, Harvard moves gracefully and with strong purpose during the wrestling scenes and was completely believable.
The real Matt Hamill who during his formative years was trained in lip-reading by his grandfather Stanley, played by Raymond J. Barry, strongly encouraged the young Hamill to assimilate into the auditory mainstream. The old school "tough love" approach forced Hamill to accept the notion that he "was no different than anyone else." But in reality, he was different and needed a support system that understood his struggles and worldview. Harvard beautifully depicted Hamill's struggle to remain loyal to his grandfather's values while at the same time entering a new epoch at Rochester Institute of Technology.
Cinematographer David Rom's artistic fingerprint added emotional balance to the film's scenes. A balance needed in most sports underdog films, which have a tendency to become extremely saturated with emotion-laced scenes. The movie as a whole was very memorable and enjoyable and has positive message that can be appreciate by both the Deaf and hearing communities.
The deaf actors who portrayed their respective real-life counter parts were phenomenal but "Matt Hamill," played by Russell Harvard, stole the film. Harvard's likability and charismatic smile simply leap out of the film and into your heart. His on screen chemistry with "Kristi" played by Shoshannah Stern was also sincere and memorable. Furthermore, Harvard moves gracefully and with strong purpose during the wrestling scenes and was completely believable.
The real Matt Hamill who during his formative years was trained in lip-reading by his grandfather Stanley, played by Raymond J. Barry, strongly encouraged the young Hamill to assimilate into the auditory mainstream. The old school "tough love" approach forced Hamill to accept the notion that he "was no different than anyone else." But in reality, he was different and needed a support system that understood his struggles and worldview. Harvard beautifully depicted Hamill's struggle to remain loyal to his grandfather's values while at the same time entering a new epoch at Rochester Institute of Technology.
Cinematographer David Rom's artistic fingerprint added emotional balance to the film's scenes. A balance needed in most sports underdog films, which have a tendency to become extremely saturated with emotion-laced scenes. The movie as a whole was very memorable and enjoyable and has positive message that can be appreciate by both the Deaf and hearing communities.