There is some disagreement within the wrestling community about whether the film "Reversal" helps or harms the promotion of wrestling. If you've seen the film, I'd like to see what your opinion is. Please rate the movie as to whether it meets its billing as a family movie that gives a positive message about wrestling.

I'VE BEEN WAITING 6 WEEKS TO RECIEVE THE FILM DO YOU KNOW ANY WAY TO CHECK IF IT HAS BEEN SENT?

Like you, I had ordered the DVD several weeks ago, and my credit card was charged in the middle of September, but I haven't received the film yet. I sent an email to the producer, and here is the message I received:
So it appears that we'll be receiving our orders soon. I look forward to viewing it and casting my own vote about the movie!

I actually reviewed this movie at it's premier. My review can be read at one of three web sites. Included with the review of the movie is a interview with the producer and director. The reviews are at http://www.furches.or you can clik on visitors, then reviews and writing, scroll down the page and click on one of the links. You can also visit http://www.crosshome.com and visit the movie reviews site or in my opinion the best site http://www.hollywoodjesus.com, find reversal on the video sites and click on it. You can also type in my name furches on the search engine and find reviews of the movie.

In short I found the movie to be fantastic, I actually have an advance preview copy of the movie but know that the DVD and VHS versions will be superior due to the extras on it. People often forget that this is a true story intended to tell a love story between a father and a son. I have posted many comments on numerous sites regarding the one negative thing that has been said about the movie by Ken Chertow. I have yet to see any of those comments posted. the film does include scenes regarding inappropriate weight cutting techniques that was used in the 1980's and before and in some situations are stillused today. I believe and know from discussions with the maker of the film that those scenes really happened and attempt to show the horrors of those techniques. There is a disclaimer on the at the end of the film and a segmant on the DVD which teaches and talks about appropriate cutting techniques. Regarding the Chertow review, he never actually saw a finished version of the film and if it means listening to over 5 gold medal winners as opposed to one team member who did not win an olympic match I would personally choose to listen to the gold medal winners like, Kendal Cross, Kenny Monday, and numerous others within the community including Jack Spates from OU, Danny Hodge, Carl Lewis and on and on. I would certainly be willing to debate this issue from a techinical film making position and a wrestling position any time and any place. Reversal is one of the most positive things to come around for the wrestling community in a long time.

One last note. Individuals who purchase the film need to understand the problems with distribution do not nessecarily indicate a problem with the producer. Jimi's response is a reasonable response that makes a lot of sense to those like myself who have done some level of work within the industry.

By the way we are new to Kansas, in Wichita. My son was a state open champion in Oklahoma last year and has also won a national championship so my knowledge of wrestling goes further than just movies.

Must make one additional comment about the billing of Reversal and if it meets family criteria and all. Here is what I know, it continues to do well and win film festival awards from around North America and it has been endorsed by the Dove Foundation, a family film group. It is important to understand that from these perspectives at least those outside of the wrestlig community is seeing the film in a very positive light. People like John Irving has also classified it as being superior to Vision Quest and most of us have probably also seen the movie One More Shot. By the way did I mention that Danny Hodge has endorsed the film. You can actually hear and see his comments on the http://www.reversalthemovie.com web site. By the way the address to my site is http://www.furches.org Sorry for the mess up on the above mentioned post.

I liked the movie but I think it hurt wrestling. A true wrestling champion wouldn't quit just becasue a few things in his life said it was bad. I think it showed a display of wrestlers being quiters.

I had read all the pre-hype regarding this movie over the past several months and eagerly anticipated seeing it. I ordered this movie as soon as I first saw it was available for the public to purchase and anxiously checked the mail each day over the last month for its arrival and watched it this evening after recieving it today. I couldn't understand why there was not more people responding positively to this poll as the number of respondents grew. I did not find this movie to be the uplifting, inspirational passion for success picture such as Rocky or Vision Quest that I'd hoped for. This is more a personal account of what can happen in the worst of extremes where a youth was pushed to the point where it eventually caused him to walk away from a sport. The film made me percieve that he did so without the realization of what I feel best embodies the life lessons one can come away with through competing in the sport of wrestling. Not everyone can be a State Champion yet one can still attain an individual and personal level of success through hard work and dedication, a strong will and determination to learn and improve upon new skills to help them achieve and the desire to get positive results in small measures whether that be getting a takedown, escaping a pin-hold, getting their hand raised or just lasting 3 periods. These small results for each individual can eventually grow and become common for them and even expected where eventually they may hunger and desire for better and better outcomes. If even a little guy (who is used to getting picked last on the playground or is a runt in Jr. High and not 5'8"- 150 lbs and not able to see the sense of pride hoped for by playing on the Football, Basketball team etc.) works hard, learns the moves and strives for improvement then they can likely walk away from this sport on their own terms with one of the best feelings of self accomplishment that can impact him or her to have the inner drive and perseverance to "GO FOR THE GOLD" (in their own terms) that can last a lifetime. So..I guess what I am trying to say... is that I was truly disappointed to see a film that I had so much anticipated turn out to be one that portrayed a sport which I know is so positive to be one that sends a message that sheds a negative light on the sport of Wrestling. This film is far from "Vision Quest ". .....KEVIN CALHOON

i thought it was a great movie. i was hoping for a film that like rocky, makes you feel hungry. it was not that kind of move however. it did shed light on the two biggest problems in this sport!
1 parents that push the dreams they have for their kids to be the dreams of their kids! (dads/coaches that try to live through their kids)

2 the preasure that is put on wrestlers to not eat healthy or cutting wieght.

most everyone that i have let watch the movie just couldn't believe cutting wieght like in the movie really happens, and is condoned by coaches and/or parents.
i thought the message it gave about the friends you have, and the influance they have on your life.
i was a little suprised they had the sexual element in the movie. i didn't think it needed.
i would like to recommend it to more families but i am not sure they want their kids to see or deal with that stuff just yet.
like i said, overall i thought it was a great film with some really good messages in it.

i also think the people that say this movie hurts the sport of wrestling, are probably the same people that i am refering too in the true problems with this sport!