Sydney Sweeney delivers a credible performance in 'Christy', but director David Michôd's boxing movie remains confined within the familiar boundaries of a biographical drama formula.
In the world of cinema, the newly formed U.S. distribution arm of indie production outfit Black Bear has made its debut with the release of Christy. This inspirational sports movie, directed by David Michôd, takes a dramatic turn into an unflinching depiction of domestic violence.
At the helm of this gripping tale is Sydney Sweeney, who plays the lead role of Christy, a character based on real-life '90s boxing star, Christy Martin. The film follows Christy's journey from a West Virginia college basketball player to a promising boxer, as she enters a local boxing contest and catches the eye of trainer Jim Martin, played by Ben Foster.
Their relationship, however, is far from conventional. In the first meeting, Christy demonstrates her natural boxing ability by knocking Jim to the mat. Yet, the script suggests that having a girlfriend might not be accepted by him. As the story unfolds, Jim starts retaliating to Christy's criticisms with violence, leading the movie to veer into darker territory.
One of the most talked-about moments in the movie is a shocking jolt of violence when Christy finally leaves Jim. There's a terrific scene between Sweeney and Wever where Christy expresses her fear of Jim's anger and uneasiness about explicit videos and photos he insists on taking.
The development of Christy's relationship with Jim is by-the-numbers, transitioning from coach to lover to controlling husband without much evidence of real feeling. Christy plays up the happy wife-and-homemaker angle to avoid being seen as a trailblazing feminist.
Meanwhile, Lisa Holewyne, Christy's training partner, calls out the forced nature of Christy's tough-girl bravado. The film's matches are mostly shown in a slick but perfunctory style, with tension only building in rare instances, such as against Deirdre Gogarty and Laila Ali.
Interestingly, the production company that supported the release of "Christy" is Anonymous Content, the newly founded US distribution arm of Black Bear. The movie also delves into the societal pressures faced by Christy and her family, with her parents, John and Joyce, concerned about her pursuing a career in a violent sport but more afraid of scandal.
A phone call from the mother of Rosie, Christy's girlfriend since high school, alerts Christy's parents to her sexuality, adding another layer of complexity to the narrative. Overall, Christy is a powerful film that sheds light on the darker side of the world of boxing and the struggles faced by those who dare to break the mould.
Director David Michôd, known for his work on Animal Kingdom, has once again leaned into dark material, creating a compelling and emotionally charged movie that will leave audiences thinking long after the credits roll.
