December 27, 2024 – This time of year there are films you are supposed to see as a critic, and others you just want to see because you are attracted to the premise. This one is a little of both. It is an acclaimed movie with a “Rocky” vibe, but it is also based on fact.

This story is set in Flint, Michigan, where filmmaker Michael Moore was born, and it features prominently in some of his films, like “Roger & Me” and in his political commentaries. It is a place of great economic and social injustice. The title of the movie, perhaps not coincidentally, is the same as an album and song by the great Bob Seger, another Michigan native.

The hardscrabble life of blacks in Flint is on display in this movie, helmed by cinematographer-turned-director, Rachel Morrison, but not just that, but how tough it makes some of these people, who refuse to give up and instead, fight back against the system (the film's original title was “Flint Strong”).

Claressa Shields is one of those tough people (played by Jazmin Headley and Kylee D. Allen as a child and by Ryan Destiny of “Oracle” as an adult). Shields becomes interested in boxing as a child and starts hanging around a boxing gym, despite being told that boxing is not a sport for girls.

One day, despite being told to leave, she dons boxing headgear. Volunteer boxing coach Jason Crutchfield (played by Brian Tyree Henry of “Causeway”) decides to teach Claressa a lesson by putting her in the ring against one of his boxers. To his surprise, she can fight, and learns fast.

Jason continues to coach Claressa (who earns the nickname “T-Rex”) as she rises through the amateur ranks to qualify for the Olympics. She hopes to earn money through endorsements to help her financially strapped family. Although she excels in boxing at every level, and Jason tries hard to secure endorsements for her, nothing is available. Sponsors are not interested in a strong black woman boxer.

Claressa and Jason are both frustrated by the sports product endorsement system, that favors only a select few athletes, mostly high profile males in certain sports, while the rest remain in anonymity. Jason is having financial difficulties of his own. Things come to a head when Claressa and Jason take out their frustrations on each other and call it quits.

While the rest of the country is oblivious to Claressa's accomplishments, Flint is proud of her. Eventually, Claressa's pride is revived. She takes heart in the support of her community and begins training again. She also gets some support from the Olympic Committee to continue her training. The rest is history. Unlike most boxing movies, this story is more about Claressa's personal growth, than it is about boxing matches. It doesn't end, like most do, with “The Big Fight.”

The boxing sequences in the movie are very good, thanks to fight coordinator Nick Alachiotis, Boxing and Fight Coordinator Anthony Martins, and the many trainers, stunt coordinators, stunt doubles and stunt actors in this movie. This story deviates from the facts, but Claressa's successes in boxing and in mixed martial arts, impressive as they are in the movie, are far greater in real life.

Ryan Destiny gives a powerful, nuanced performance as Claressa. Brian Tyree Henry gives another stellar performance in this movie, just as he did in “Causeway” (2022). Solid supporting performances are given by Oluniké Adeliyi (Claressa's troubled mother) Idrissa Sanogo (sparing partner and boyfriend Lil' Zay) De'Adre Aziza (Mickey, Crutchfield's wife) and Adam Clark (Claressa's father, a former convict and fighter who introduced her to the sport).

This movie shows its elite roots in a solid screenplay by Barry Jenkins (“Moonlight”) and in its producers, including Claressa Shields herself and Barry Jenkins. The quality of this movie belies its troubled production, dropped by Universal, picked up by MGM, delayed by Covid, and other changes behind and in front of the camera. This movie rates a B+.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in digital formats, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff (no extra charges apply). I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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