As a fan who has spent countless hours watching boxing movies, I can confidently say that The Fire Inside is a breath of fresh air in this often stale genre. Rachel Morrison and Barry Jenkins have taken the familiar elements of sports dramas and given them a unique twist, focusing on the struggles and realities faced by Claressa “T-Rex” Shields outside the ring.
How can we make “The Fire Inside” stand out from other boxing movies in 2024, considering the influential legacy of classics like “Rocky,” “Million Dollar Baby,” and “Raging Bull”? While many contemporary films such as “Grudge Match” and “Day of the Fight” have struggled to bring fresh ideas to this saturated genre, Rachel Morrison’s directorial debut and Barry Jenkins’ screenplay offer a refreshing update rather than a complete overhaul.
Claressa “T-Rex” Shields (portrayed by Ryan Destiny) kept showing up at Jason Crutchfield’s (Brian Tyree Henry) boxing practices despite him stating that he didn’t work with females. However, Shields was relentless. It takes determination to hail from Flint, Michigan. Eventually, Crutchfield agrees to mentor Shields, and as “The Fire Inside” unfolds, the duo readies themselves for an opportunity that at one point seemed unattainable. They are preparing for the 2012 Summer Olympics. If Shields wins certain bouts, she will be off to London to compete for America.
Constantly driven by the thought of uplifting her family, this boxer pushes her physical limits. Known as Shields, she hails from a difficult background where she and her two siblings resided with a mother battling addiction and struggling to provide basic necessities. The Olympics present potential sponsorship opportunities and other financially rewarding avenues for her family’s relief from poverty. The Fire Inside portrays Shields breaking records in the ring, but these achievements can’t shield her from harsh realities such as financial instability. Moreover, societal expectations about how women athletes should behave don’t disappear just because she wears boxing gloves.
In the film “The Fire Inside,” an intriguing aspect stands out: we seldom witness the conclusion of Shields’ boxing matches, which is quite unusual for sports dramas. Traditionally, the climax in such movies involves the lead character scoring a decisive victory, like a slam dunk or a soccer goal. However, in the Jenkins screenplay, focusing less on these final moments allows “The Fire Inside” to emphasize its creative intentions. Instead of immediate emotional release, it presents a raw, messy portrayal of making history and then grappling with its aftermath. Essentially, this movie isn’t chiefly about the blows Shields throws at other women; it’s about what transpires beyond the ring, as boxing is merely one aspect of this woman’s complex life puzzle.
In a pivotal third part, the focus returns to Flint, Michigan, where Shields and Crutchfield grapple with transforming their boxing triumphs into lasting financial security. The dazzle of cameras and the Olympics is now a distant memory, leaving Shields once more standing alongside her mother in hospital waiting rooms or rushing through local supermarkets for essentials. This powerfully moving story gains impact from the way corporate hurdles arise for our protagonists. Crutchfield encounters an unforgettable encounter with a corporate figure who can’t help but gush about being a fan of Shields and her athletic accomplishments.
After the initial pleasantries are set aside, however, this amiable individual asserts that a female boxer is not commercially viable. He gently but firmly expresses his viewpoint, stating that people prefer to see women playing volleyball or swimming. This person, who initially seemed supportive, transforms into another upholder of traditional gender roles. The insidious nature of toxicity can manifest in unexpected ways, even from those who appear friendly and appreciative. This unusual form of friction adds depth to the unique creative identity of The Fire Inside, a mainstream sports movie.
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but marvel at how Morrison and cinematographer Rina Yang masterfully infuse unforgettable depth into “The Fire Inside.” A poignant wide shot captures Shields, dejected after learning Crutchfield won’t attend a crucial match, sitting alone in a dimly lit backroom. The ominous shadows behind her contrast starkly with the brilliant light pouring in from an enormous door on the left, illuminating the frame. This visually striking scene encapsulates the delicate balance Shields faces right now: to give in to her past turmoil or seize the intriguing prospects of the future? All of this tension is beautifully portrayed within that single shot.
Skillfully, Shields’ training scenes and fights with opponents are seamlessly captured in one continuous shot, done with assurance. Morrison’s cinematography on movies such as “Black Panther” and “Mudbound” is filled with carefully planned visuals. It’s truly impressive to observe this level of detail carried over into her work directing “Fire Inside”. Additionally, Yang makes a significant impact as a cinematographer as well.
The standout aspects of “The Fire Inside” sometimes become slightly annoying when typical sports film tendencies surface. Even a movie that challenges the norm can’t help but touch upon familiar themes seen in films like “Invincible” and “We Are Marshall”. More significantly, the supporting characters from our main character’s family often blend into the backdrop. Shields has two siblings who intermittently appear in the film to a noticeably distracting extent. Impactful scenes involving her brother and sister would be more effective if “The Fire Inside” gave these characters more depth as distinct personalities.
In this film, Tamar-kali’s exceptional score and stellar lead performances, particularly Ryan Destiny’s portrayal of Shields, overshadow any minor flaws. Destiny delivers a powerful performance in what is her most significant role yet, demonstrating her talents with subtle physicality. A poignant scene where she discusses sexual trauma with a potential lover stands out, as Destiny skillfully conveys the character’s pain through subdued yet expressive body language. Shields, being a reserved character in The Fire Inside, doesn’t overtly display emotions. However, Destiny masterfully portrays the hardships that Shields has faced without resorting to excessive displays of emotion. This sequence showcases Destiny’s remarkable acting abilities.
In films such as “If Beale Street Could Talk”, “Causeway”, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”, and even a significant scene in this year’s “Transformers One”, Brian Tyree Henry has shown an exceptional knack for delivering powerful movie monologues. When he speaks, people can’t help but pay attention. This talent is beautifully showcased in his portrayal of Crutchfield. The captivating way Henry delivers his lines explains why Shields would be drawn to this man as a coach and mentor figure. Henry invests himself fully into this role, a genre where many artists tend to go through the motions. However, alongside other key “Fire Inside” team members like Morrison, Jenkins, Destiny, and Yang, he delivers performances that surpass the usual standard of sports movies, offering something truly special instead.
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2024-12-14 04:15