I kinda like it when older movies are a little on the sentimental side. Those heavy-yet-basic emotions just seem to fit right in with a more primitive style of filmmaking. And I think that's why I was able to appreciate The Champ: it's a simple family drama about the relationship between a father and his son, but it's that simplicity that allows the story to pack such an emotional punch.
Of course, being that the movie's almost a hundred years old, you're bound to notice a few cliches in the conflict. The father's past his prime, he's now a drinker and a gambler (though, as this was from the pre-Code era, the movie's refreshingly direct about both), and he's at risk of losing custody of his boy. It's not the most original story ever written, and there's some outdated hokiness at times, but the heart is undeniable. You can feel the love between these two characters, and it makes both the journey and its conclusion incredibly moving.
What elevates everything to true tearjerker status, though, is Jackie Cooper. This adorable little guy gives one of the most heartbreaking performances I've ever seen from a child actor.
Grade: A-
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