Movie Review: THE FIRE INSIDE Starring Ryan Destiny, Brian Tyree Henry

When it comes to boxing movies that are based on a true story, the mark is pretty high thanks to films like Cinderella Man and Raging Bull. However, it’s rare these days that we actually a boxing movie, let alone a competent and enjoyable one.

The Fire Inside is the story of Claressa ‘T-Rex’ Shields, who became the first boxer, male or female, to win not just one, but two gold medals in the Olympics. Shields’ story is nothing short of heartbreaking, motivating, and inspiring, so it is only fitting that it gets a cinematic telling.

Directed by Rachael Morrison and produced by Barry Jenkins, the film is nothing new when it comes to sports tales. We get the usual fast-paced sequences, the musical montages that show the athlete working hard to achieve their goal, etc. Where the movie differs, and I applaud it for this, is the showcasing of how little female athletes are paid compared their male counterparts. We saw mention of this a lot this year with the success of the WNBA.

Standout performances from Ryan Destiny, in her first major role and by Brian Tyree Henry, who plays Claressa’s coach Jason Crutchfield, lift the film above many of your typical sports films. Jenkins’ script bucks the trend, showcasing a major fight at the midway point of the film, rather than concluding with it. Instead, Jenkins opts to address the challenges facing female athletes, which include reduced pay and the lack of endorsement deals.

While Claressa is not one to wear lipstick and act like a typical girl, she is told to do those things in order to draw the interest of companies looking for someone to endorse their product. However, Claressa refuses to buy in and follow the trend, despite needing money badly to support her younger brother and sister. Claressa also feels pressure from her parents, both of whom are troubled in their own rights.

The film isn’t perfect. I had a lot of criticism after walking out. I felt the script had a lot of holes in it, from her broken relationship with her mother and father, to her troubled childhood. I also felt the film seemed quite rushed at times, not going deep enough what motivated Claressa to fight in the first place.

Despite my issues with the film, The Fire Inside is an enjoyable sports film that will leave many celebrating the achievements of an athlete who worked her way to the top, overcoming many obstacles along the way. I also applaud the efforts of the film in bringing the struggles that women in sports are still faced with today. The Fire Inside may not be a knockout, but it still wins with a majority decision.

The Fire Inside gets a B.