This fits the same mold as Rocky or Million Dollar Baby, except Sydney Sweeney was actually coached by the real Christy who became the first champion female boxer. Gone is actress Sweeney’s glamour, hiding behind her bluster, but looking more like a lost little girl fighting to find herself and make a name for herself. While Writer/Director David Michôd’s biopic that isn’t quite as inspiring as those other films, but Sweeney’s dedication to transforming into the hard as nails Christy Martin, and the story itself are definitely worth seeing.
The drama inherent inside the boxing ring has been a natural setting for stellar moviemaking. It’s the story of a West Virginia Coal Country girl who has talent in her fists and fearlessly uses it. She became a 1990’s trailblazer for women’s boxing, but she downplays being a gender role model. She cared more for her personal ambition and earnings than standing up for all women.
Watch our Red Carpet interviews with the real Christy Martin at Austin Film Festival talking about her working with Sydney Sweeney, and even put her own dog, Champ, in the film. And talk with writer Mirrah Foulkes about what it was like working with David Michôd to put the screenplay together.
Sweeney was all-in for this role and it shows. She put on thirty pounds of hard earned muscle and hundreds of hours in the gym learning the moves and technique to make us believe she’s really landing and taking those brutal punches to all parts of her body. She also embodies the swagger and crassness of the character, never backing down, berating her opponents with vulgar infused rants. Sweeney’s scenes with Don King (Chad Coleman) are some of the best as she sells herself to the genius of boxing promotions. Coleman’s portrayal of King as the ruthless deal maker is spot on, right down to his bass voice and hearty laugh.
Director/Writer Michôd along with co-writer Mirrah Foulkes’ script follows the well-worn tempo of the sports biopic. Consistent tension of her early life centers on her attraction to other girls with authoritarian disdain from her mother, Joyce Salters (Merritt Wever) for whatever Christy wants to do. Wever goes right over-the-top, to expressing hate and dominance with her conservative attitude.
The nitty gritty of the film is outside the ring. It’s the uncomfortable, manipulative relationship forced on Christy by her trainer/manager/husband, Jim Martin (Ben Foster). The strongest and most sickening scenes are those showing the gut wrenching abuse, and domestic violence Jim inflicts on his wife. Michôd unleashes Foster as a dead-eyed demon, incapable of love and only interested in power and control. It’s this fight that defines the narrative. Christy Martin told us that Ben Foster ’s characterization was so eerily close to Jim’s scary attitude, those on set who knew the real Jim steered clear of him during the production.
Although the scenes in the ring of Christy being pummeled are violent enough, the most horrific scene is not in the ring, but the incredible brutality she suffered at the hands of her husband at home! Christy’s survival seems almost too miraculous and Michôd seems to wrap up the film too quickly adding how Christy finally finds peace and love with her former opponent, sparring partner and caregiver, Lisa Holewyne (Kathy O’Brian). But evil Mom Joyce never changes her mean attitude towards her daughter.
This film shows how Christy was just trying to stand up for herself, like Sydney Sweeney is trying to do making choices regarding her celebrity. Michôd details Christy’s dedication working hard for success and survival, overcoming professional and spousal abuse. Though this is impressive hard fought boxing cinema, any message of hope or inspiration for women is left in the background. In the end, Christy pulls her punch.
Black Bear 2 Hours 15 Minutes R
