By Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
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The movie spotlight shines this fall on Matt (The Hammer) Hamill, his opponent in Saturday night's main event at UFC 130, when "Hamill" opens in theatres.
The film is the inspirational story of Hamill, who was born deaf. It depicts Hamill's youth but focuses mostly on 1997 when — as a sophomore walk-on at the Rochester Institute of Technology, which has a deaf school — he won the first of three NCAA Division 3 wrestling championships.
"Hamill" is a study of perseverance. Movie-goers will likely wipe away a tear and leave with a healthy respect for Matt Hamill, as well as a better grasp of deaf life.
Directed by Oren Kaplan, the film uses sound or lack thereof as well as subtitles, often with words missing, to gets its message across.
At the heart of the movie is a deft, understated performance by Russell Harvard, the deaf actor who plays Hamill. You may remember Harvard for his brief appearance as Daniel Day-Lewis' grown-up son H.W. at the end of "There Will be Blood."
"Hamill" has been entered in six film festivals to date — Newport Beach, Florida, AFI, Miami, Cleveland and Philadelphia — and won audience awards in every one.
"There's been an overwhelming response to the film, which has been amazing ... People really respond to Matt's story. I think it's universal," said co-writers Joseph McKelheer.
In real life or on the movie screen, it's hard not to root for Matt Hamill.
"I'm just trying to be who I am," he tells reporters with a broad smile. "I'm happy the way I am."
Copyright © 2011 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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