Art of Submission, a 2012 film directed by Kenneth Chamitoff, positions itself within the action drama genre, incorporating elements of martial arts. The narrative centers on Johnny Sanchez, a man recently released from prison who finds himself compelled to enter the world of mixed martial arts to save his family’s livelihood. This premise, while familiar in its blend of sports competition and personal stakes, sets the stage for an exploration of redemption, familial bonds, and the pursuit of respect. The film attempts to weave together these thematic threads against the backdrop of the demanding and visceral world of MMA. This review will delve into the various facets of Art of Submission, examining its production, narrative structure, characterizations, critical and audience responses, commercial performance, and visual presentation to offer a comprehensive assessment of its overall merit.  

Production Overview

The journey of bringing Art of Submission to the screen involved the collaborative efforts of Kenneth Chamitoff and Adam Boster, who are both credited as directors. This co-direction suggests a shared vision or a division of responsibilities during the filmmaking process. In addition to his directorial role, Kenneth Chamitoff also served as the film’s writer , indicating a strong personal investment in the story’s creation and execution. The film’s production involved a significant number of individuals credited as producers , encompassing various roles such as executive producer, co-producer, and associate producer. This extensive list might point to the complexities of financing the film or the involvement of a broad network of support. Several production companies were also involved, including RED CANVAS FILMS PRODUCTION, LLC, Photo-Kicks Productions, The TCS Productions, Carte Blanche, Boster Studios, and Pro-Motion Pictures. The participation of multiple entities could reflect different stages of the film’s development, funding, and distribution.  

Plot Synopsis

The narrative of Art of Submission revolves around Johnny Sanchez, a fighter with a troubled past who is attempting to rebuild his life after a stint in prison. Upon his release, he discovers that his father’s garage, a symbol of his family’s stability, is facing foreclosure. The only viable option to save it is for Johnny to compete in the Red Canvas tournament, a high-stakes MMA competition. As he trains for this crucial fight, Johnny must also confront the underlying tensions within his family and grapple with the consequences of his past actions. He faces the daunting prospect of going up against a seemingly unbeatable opponent, adding another layer of pressure to his already burdened journey.  

Behind the Scenes and Release

A notable technical aspect of the production is that Art of Submission was reportedly one of the early feature films to utilize the RED 4k camera system. This choice of technology suggests an ambition to achieve high visual fidelity in the final product. The principal filming took place in Las Vegas, Nevada, with key sequences shot at the Tap out Training Center , a location that adds a sense of authenticity to the film’s MMA setting. The film’s release strategy included a premiere in San Jose, California, on September 21, 2012. Interestingly, this premiere was linked to a real-world MMA promotion, Red Canvas Fight Promotions, which not only showcased the film but also held a live MMA event titled “Art of Submission 1”. This cross-promotional approach aimed to tap into the audience base that follows mixed martial arts. However, the making of Art of Submission was not without its challenges. According to one review, the film experienced difficulties during production, leading to a re-edit in post-production. This re-editing process was intended to enhance the narrative, particularly Johnny’s storyline, but the reviewer suggests that it ultimately resulted in a disjointed final product. This behind-the-scenes information hints at potential complexities in realizing the initial vision for the film.  

Themes and Narrative Structure

Several key themes underpin this narrative. Redemption is central to Johnny’s arc, as he seeks to atone for his past mistakes and earn a second chance through his efforts in the tournament and his commitment to his family. The film also places significant emphasis on family bonds, exploring the complexities of the relationship between Johnny and his father, as well as the broader dynamics within the Sanchez family. The narrative highlights the importance of familial support and unity in overcoming challenges. Johnny’s personal journey is also driven by a desire for respect, both within his family and in the competitive world of MMA. Additionally, the film appears to touch upon the contrast between traditional martial arts philosophies and the more modern, eclectic approach of mixed martial arts. The structure of the story aligns with the classic “reluctant Hero’s journey” trope, where Johnny, initially hesitant or flawed, is compelled to rise to the occasion and undergo a transformative experience. However, some critical assessments suggest that the narrative suffers from weaknesses. Reviewers have described the plot as thin and disjointed , potentially indicating a lack of narrative depth beyond the basic premise or issues with the film’s pacing and coherence. Furthermore, the inclusion of a subplot featuring George Takei’s character as an evil fight promoter who resorts to drugging his fighters has been noted as particularly bizarre and out of place. Such an element could detract from the film’s overall tone and believability.  

Character Analysis

The characters inhabiting the world of Art of Submission are crucial to the film’s thematic exploration. The protagonist, Johnny Sanchez, played by Ernie Reyes Jr., is depicted as a “hot-headed wannabe fighter” eager to prove himself. Reviews suggest that he is a character grappling with difficult choices and a life that has taken a wrong turn. One critique points out inconsistencies in his portrayal, noting abrupt shifts between being a tough figure and a more sentimental one. Ving Rhames portrays the character of Gene, a significant member of the cast. However, some critical observations indicate that Rhames’ performance appears unenthusiastic, with the actor seeming “weary” and unconvinced by his role. The antagonist, Krang, is played by George Takei and is described as a “clichéd master villain” who fails to make a significant impact. This portrayal potentially lacks the depth and nuance needed to create a compelling antagonist. John Savage plays Harbin Rask, a character who serves as a trainer for Johnny, imparting lessons of humility. María Conchita Alonso appears as Maria Sanchez, Johnny’s mother, likely providing emotional grounding to the family drama. The film also features Sara Downing as Julia, another key member of the cast whose specific role requires further context. To enhance the realism of the MMA sequences, the filmmakers cast several individuals with actual experience in mixed martial arts, such as Frank Shamrock and Gray Maynard. This decision aimed to bring a level of authenticity to the fight choreography and performances.  

Critical and Audience Reception

Upon its release, Art of Submission faced a generally lukewarm to negative reception from both professional critics and general audiences. Reviewers frequently used terms such as “dull,” “odd,” and “disjointed” to describe their experience of the film. Despite the overall negative sentiment, some aspects of the movie did receive praise. The MMA action sequences were noted as a highlight by several reviewers , with one user on IMDb even describing the fights as “Top Notch”. This suggests that for viewers primarily interested in the martial arts element, the film might offer some level of satisfaction. However, the criticisms leveled against the film were more substantial. The plot was often described as weak and poorly structured. A recurring complaint focused on the cinematography during the fight scenes, which was labeled as “ugly” and confusing due to the excessive use of quick editing and cross-cutting. This stylistic choice ironically detracted from the appreciation of the martial arts skills on display. The inclusion of the bizarre subplot involving George Takei’s character was also widely criticized as unnecessary and out of place. Furthermore, some reviewers pointed out inconsistencies in the film’s tone and pacing. The film seemed to struggle in its attempt to balance the dramatic elements with the action, ultimately failing to fully satisfy the expectations of either genre. User reviews on platforms like IMDb largely echoed the sentiments of professional critics, with the film currently holding a rating of 3.9 out of 10. However, there are outliers, such as one user who rated the film a perfect 10, praising its authentic portrayal of MMA and meaningful storyline. This divergence in opinions indicates a potentially polarizing effect on viewers.  

Box Office Performance

The financial performance of Art of Submission was notably unsuccessful. With an estimated production budget of $4.5 million, the film’s box office returns were remarkably low. In the US and Canada, the film grossed a mere $9,004, with an opening weekend earning of $8,759. The worldwide gross also amounted to only $9,004. These figures indicate a significant commercial failure, suggesting that the film did not find a substantial audience in theaters. The minuscule box office revenue compared to the production costs likely reflects the negative critical reception and a lack of widespread audience interest.  

Ratings Across Platforms

To further understand the film’s reception, it is useful to examine its ratings across various platforms. On IMDb, Art of Submission holds a rating of 3.9 out of 10 based on 597 user ratings. Another user review mentioned a rating of 4.4/10 , indicating some variability in user scores. The official page for the film on TMDB is available , but the specific user rating on that platform needs to be checked directly. As for Rotten Tomatoes, the provided research material does not contain a specific Tomatometer score or audience score for Art of Submission. However, JustWatch lists a rating of 3.8 out of 10. It is worth noting that some promotional material associated with the film claims that viewers found the story “victorious and transcending”. This positive description stands in stark contrast to the generally low ratings and negative reviews from both critics and general audiences.  

Conclusion

In conclusion, Art of Submission (2012) presents a narrative with familiar themes of redemption and family set within the world of mixed martial arts. While the film aimed for a blend of action and drama, and even utilized then-advanced camera technology and cast experienced MMA fighters, the final product appears to have fallen short of its ambitions. The critical and audience reception has been largely negative, with praise primarily directed towards the MMA action itself, while significant criticisms have been leveled against the thin and disjointed plot, the bizarre subplot, and particularly the poorly executed cinematography during the fight sequences. The film’s box office performance was a significant failure, indicating a lack of resonance with a wider audience.

Metric	Amount
Estimated Budget	$4,500,000
Opening Weekend Gross (US & Canada)	$8,759
Total Gross (US & Canada)	$9,004
Worldwide Gross	$9,004

Platform	Rating	Number of Ratings/Reviews
IMDb	3.9/10	597
TMDB	To be researched	To be researched
Rotten Tomatoes	To be researched	To be researched
JustWatch	3.8/10	N/A

For potential viewers, especially those who are die-hard fans of MMA cinema, Art of Submission might offer some fleeting moments of engaging fight choreography. However, the film’s narrative shortcomings and visual execution, particularly in its most crucial action elements, suggest that it may not satisfy those seeking a well-rounded and compelling cinematic experience. Its significant commercial underperformance and generally negative critical consensus serve as further indicators of its overall quality.