Carolla's Jerry may be a battered and beaten boxer, but he's a surprisingly appealing lead. And the film manages to be inspirational and clear-eyed about Jerry's prospects. Carolla and Juergensen have a nice, easy chemistry, and director
Charles Herman-Wurmfeld has a light touch that serves this low-budget, shot-on-video comedy nicely. Carolla receives story credit; a former contractor himself, he entered show business late in life before becoming a radio (
Loveline) and TV (
The Man Show) host, so he's certainly in touch with Jerry's doubts and aspirations.
Loose, light, and low-key, THE HAMMER is a funny, character-driven indie comedy that, like Jerry, has a surprising amount of heart hidden behind its worn exterior.