After leaving cable TV's The Man Show, which he co-hosted with Jimmy Kimmel, Adam Carolla bounced around Hollywood but failed to secure another high-profile film or television gig like his ex-partner, who landed a late-night network talk show. In this vanity project, Carolla stars as 40-year-old Jerry Ferro, a former Golden Gloves boxing champ now working in construction and teaching “boxing fitness” on the side. After making a strong showing while sparring with a professional, Jerry decides to go for the gold—literally—by attempting to qualify for inclusion on the U.S. Olympic team. Co-written by Carolla and Kevin Hench, director Charles Herman-Wurmfeld's The Hammer trods well-worn comedy paths, serving up typically crass bodily-function gags while it meanders towards a predictable, formulaic conclusion. The supporting cast is negligible, with leading lady Heather Juergensen being the weakest of the lot (the fact that she's married to Hench may account for her being cast here). An uninspired film that is unlikely to do much for Carolla's middling career, The Hammer is not a necessary purchase. (E. Hulse)
The Hammer
Weinstein, 91 min., R, DVD: $19.99 Volume 23, Issue 5
The Hammer
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