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Girlfight
2000
Girlfight is the fresh, triumphant story of a young woman in the Bronx who discovers her greatest love in the boxing ring. When she falls for macho featherweight Adrian, her heart is put to the test. An action-packed, stunning debut from first-time director Karyn Kusama, starring award-winning newcomer Michelle Rodriguez. Read more
| Starring | Michelle Rodriguez, Jaime Tirelli, Paul Calderon, John Sayles |
|---|---|
| Director | Karyn Kusama |
| Genres | Drama |
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Girlfight
Girlfight is the fresh, triumphant story of a young woman in the Bronx who discovers her greatest love in the boxing ring.
When she falls for macho featherweight Adrian, her heart is put to the test. An action-packed, stunning debut from first-time director Karyn Kusama, starring award-winning newcomer Michelle Rodriguez.
| Starring | Michelle Rodriguez, Jaime Tirelli, Paul Calderon, John Sayles |
|---|---|
| Director | Karyn Kusama |
| Studio | COLUMBIA TRI-STAR HOME VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 46 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | 100 Feisty Females |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 15 Oct 2001 Production year: 2000 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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In this boxing story from debut director Karyn Kusama, a tough teen (played by Michelle Rodriguez, giving an inspired if scary performance) enrols for fight lessons at the local male-dominated gym, where her naked ambition is eventually recognised and she starts a tentative relationship with fellow boxer Santiago Douglas. But their burgeoning affair is put to the test when they're forced to fight in a gender-blind competition. How this tense situation is resolved stays remarkably free of cliché and builds to a powerfully moving epiphany that's proper, intelligent and extremely satisfying. Exploring important aspects of life and the way in which pain can increase willpower, Kusama cleverly puts across her heartfelt coming-of-age issues without being sentimental, preachy or overdoing the messages. Rugged, caring and shot with an unerring eye for realism, this Sundance film festival favourite clearly shows the expert hand of Lone Star director John Sayles (credited here as executive producer), who also cameos as a teacher.
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"...The film features an exceptionally confident central performance by Michelle Rodriguez...whose jutting jaw and 10-mile stare hold the viewer's attention like a clamp..."
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Most helpful member's review
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8 out of 8 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Refreshingly unsentimanetal and empowering
Diana is an 18 year old girl with problems at school and at home. Her mother is dead, her dad seems to ignore her and she has little interests in the things that are so important to other girls her age. When she picks up her younger brother from the gym where he boxes she decides she wants to train herself. Her coach soon recognises her talent and pushes her further. When she meets Adrian, a promising young boxer in the gym, she must decide between her boxing interests and her feelings for him.
For someone like me who is neither interested in boxing nor particularly fond of 'girl power' films this is a particularly remarkable achievement. I can only describe it as a power film that stands out from the crowd because of the tight direction that avoids sentimentality, strong character development and the phenomenal acting talent of Michelle Rodriguez who really gives a knockout performance here (pardon the pun). In fact, this is pretty much a film for everyone: if you like action you get plenty of fight scenes, if you like acting you will hardly find better and if you like to keep your brain switched on then Dianas fight against boxing prejudices and her personal empowerment will give you enough food for thought.
My verdict: Go for it! It really is a knockout!
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- ThomasKus from Gloucester
- Posted 07 Feb 2004 23:53
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Most recent members' review
View all -
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Refreshingly unsentimanetal and empowering
Diana is an 18 year old girl with problems at school and at home. Her mother is dead, her dad seems to ignore her and she has little interests in the things that are so important to other girls her age. When she picks up her younger brother from the gym where he boxes she decides she wants to train herself. Her coach soon recognises her talent and pushes her further. When she meets Adrian, a promising young boxer in the gym, she must decide between her boxing interests and her feelings for him.
For someone like me who is neither interested in boxing nor particularly fond of 'girl power' films this is a particularly remarkable achievement. I can only describe it as a power film that stands out from the crowd because of the tight direction that avoids sentimentality, strong character development and the phenomenal acting talent of Michelle Rodriguez who really gives a knockout performance here (pardon the pun). In fact, this is pretty much a film for everyone: if you like action you get plenty of fight scenes, if you like acting you will hardly find better and if you like to keep your brain switched on then Dianas fight against boxing prejudices and her personal empowerment will give you enough food for thought.
My verdict: Go for it! It really is a knockout!-
- ThomasKus from Gloucester
- Posted 07 Feb 2004 23:53
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