A reporter madly chasing a story has been the theme in many Hollywood movies -- His Gal Friday, Shattered Glass -- and when the story is based on a real occurrence, it's even more exciting. That's the thrust of Resurrecting the Champ, a movie based on a Los Angeles Times magazine article by J.R. Moehringer about reclaiming past and troubled father and son relationships.

Things aren't going so well for sports writer Erik Kernan (Josh Hartnett). His Denver Times editor, Metz (Alan Alda), thinks his writing is boring. “I forget your pieces while I’m reading them,” Metz complains. “A lotta typing – not much writing.”

Erik's wife (Kathryn Morris) has recently asked for a separation; and the only image Erik's small son Teddy (Dakota Goyo) has of his father are the lies about him being friends with mega stars such as Denver Bronco's John Elway.

Tired of covering the humdrum of sports events, Erik approaches Whitley (David Paymer), the Times' supplement editor. Whitley encourages Erik but tells him he needs a "real" story. As Erik is leaving a boxing event one night, he comes upon a group of boys beating up a homeless man. Erik chases them off and comforts the man (Samuel L. Jackson) who calls himself the Champ. He says he's the former professional boxer Bob Satterfield, and dances around like a pro, especially when a dollar bill is waived in his face.

Erik goes home but can't get the Champ out of his mind. In the next few days when he mentions the name to many, including Whitley, the reaction is the same: "I thought he was dead." Erik enlists the aid of a Times' intern (Rachel Nichols) to dig up old clips and anything she can find on Satterfield. He spends days with the Champ and soon lands his front page story, but all is still  not happyville.

Harnett (Lucky Number Slevin), enjoyable to watch, seems more authentic in every movie. As a reporter hot on the trail of a national byline he chases his story like a bloodhound after a raccoon. Every bob and weave and every right punch by the Champ lights up Erik's face as he dreams of that front page cover.

Jackson is continually fine-tuning his career like a movie chameleon. Whether doing humor in Snakes on a Plane or playing a pious blues singer in Black Snake Moan, he is believable in every role. In Resurrecting the Champ Jackson sheds all elements of ego and literally becomes a disheveled homeless man in appearance, with his wispy voice and his mindless emotional baggage.

“I had to dig deep into parts of myself I didn’t particularly like going to in order to find the Champ, but it was a journey well worth taking,” said Jackson.

Other subplots add more interesting layers to the movie. Erik has always struggled because his own father was illusive, so he’s determined to have a close relationship with Teddy. His lies about his own life begin to catch up with him when he understands that the Champ also has an estranged relationship with his son. How to redeem himself with Teddy haunts Erik day and night.

One subplot involving Teri Hatcher as a sports show casting agent is a major missed knockout here. She entices Erik to be an on-air sports announcer and tries to get him into her bed as well. Nothing in the scene seems sincere, and Hatcher delivers one of her worst performances.  I would have preferred more of Alan Alda's character included instead.

What happens when Erik's thrill-ride chase crashes forms the essence that makes Resurrecting the Champ resonate; but what keeps us hanging on until the end are the good performances and the idea that these things could happen to anyone.

(Released by Yari Film Group and rated “PG-13” for some violence and brief language.)

Review also posted on www.reviewexpress.com.