IMDb reviews From IMDb
★ 7 / 10
Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry deliver quite
CinemaSerf
Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry deliver quite strongly in this biopic of the USA’s first boxing Olympic gold medalist. It follows her own career path so we…
Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry deliver quite strongly in this biopic of the USA’s first boxing Olympic gold medalist. It follows her own career path so we know just what happened where and when, but it’s the characterful efforts that resonate more as she portrays Claressa Shields. From a very young age this tenacious young girl (Kylee D. Allen/Jazmin Headley) is running for miles to reach his gym only to be told that she couldn’t train with the boys. Henry’s Jason Crutchfield does give her a chance eventually and that’s what convinces him that she has potential. Despite her growing up in a poverty-stricken home, with her father incarcerated, they determine that if she can dedicate herself to her chosen path then perhaps fame and fortune might follow - and that proves quite an incentive for a woman who wants, passionately, to get her family out of their squalor. It’s quite an interesting look at the efforts and politics required to attain selection, exacerbated by a general reticence amongst the sporting authorities about women boxing at all and it also illustrates just how fickle those few moments of fame can be when it comes to resonating with the marketing and sponsorship communities who are all too quick to say thanks but no thanks after the ticker-tape parades have ended. Although this is very specifically aimed at her particular achievements, I think it’s fair to apply the principle to a great many would-be Olympic (amateur) athletes who participate in less lucrative sport - regardless of their sex - and who live on meagre pickings whilst others - usually in offices somewhere - reap greater financial rewards. Moreover, even the little cash on offer to assist (in her case a mere $1,000 per month but even for the men with whom she rightfully demands parity, it’s only $3,000) doesn’t extent to their training and support personnel whose relationships, rapport and dynamic with the athlete would seem better placed to deliver results. It’s interspersed with plenty of faux-actuality to give us a sense of just how strenuous this activity is, and as sporting dramas go it delivers fact, fiction and inspiration in a tempered and authentic fashion. Worth a watch.
Read full review
★ 7 / 10
A story of dedication and desire
Boristhemoggy
The true story of Claressa Shields, a high school junior from Flint, Michigan, who became the first American woman to win Olympic boxing gold, only to discover…
The true story of Claressa Shields, a high school junior from Flint, Michigan, who became the first American woman to win Olympic boxing gold, only to discover that not all dreams are equal and the real fight has just begun.Ryan Destiny plays Shields, a young girl who decides she wants to box, and Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry) a local volunteer who helps kids train, and takes her under his wing. Under his tutelage Claressa wins an olympic gold medal, only to find that it doesn't mean what she thinks it means so she takes it to a pawnshop as it's value is meaningless to her.This is a story of the true face of becoming an olympic athlete: the sacrifices that have to be made, the hardship along the way, and the rewards that sometimes don't match the effort.The cast is strong, the writing and direction is great, the film feels like an exercise in positive motivation. But it's a film of dedication and commitment and almost brought me to tears at times.A story beautifully told, I gave it a solid 7.
Read full review
★ 7 / 10
A Story that Should be Known
EileenZ19
I'm not sure how much of this movie is factual and how much is fictionalized for dramatic effect, but I found it to be impactful. I don't follow boxing, so I…
I'm not sure how much of this movie is factual and how much is fictionalized for dramatic effect, but I found it to be impactful. I don't follow boxing, so I wasn't familiar with this athlete previously. The story is multi-faceted, following not just her journey as an athlete, but also focusing on the relationships she has with her family and her coach. It's incredible what she overcame, and even more incredible that she hardly got any recognition for it, even after winning the olympic gold. This movie shows the obstacles women face in sports considered "men's sports". It was saddening to see that the medal was meaningless in her personal life for so long (this does eventually change, with a LOT of time). This movie also portrays the struggles of growing up in a toxic household. One thing that did bother me was that Claressa (in the movie) chose to stand by her family repeatedly despite the fact that she was clearly abused. Her real life relationships with them may have been much more nuanced, but in the movie, all we really see is neglect until the very last portion of the movie, where there is more understanding and love. To me it felt like she was throwing away her chance at a better life to support her abusers. Note this is just my perception, which may be biased wrongly. Overall, I think that this is an important movie to see - one that deals with gender inequality, gender norms, poverty, trauma, neglect, and grit.
Read full review
More reviews on IMDb ↗
♡ Thanks for supporting YTS Supporter badges recognize people who help keep YTS running.
93%
TOMATOMETER
· 123 reviews
93%
AUDIENCE
· 500 ratings
6.6/10
3.8K
•••
babygirl please