Review: The Fire Inside

Official Synopsis: The story of Claressa 'T-Rex' Shields (Ryan Destiny), a boxer from Flint, Michigan who trained to become the first woman in her country's history to win an Olympic gold medal in the sport.

It's fitting that Rachel Morrison, the first woman ever to be nominated for a Cinematography Oscar is centering her directorial debut around another woman who broke barriers. We already know she has a great eye, so it's no surprise that The Fire Inside is shot very well.  Shields' environment is easily told through Morrison's lens. The film doesn't need to rely on a longer prologue into her childhood. The opening tracking shot alone tells us so much. 

A good sports movie still keeps you on the edge of your seat even when you know the outcome. But The Fire Inside is about much more than Shields' historic Olympic run. Barry Jenkins' screenplay doesn't end at her first Olympics, but chooses to follow her afterwards, when the brutal reality sets in. Companies aren't looking for women in sports like boxing to sponsor. Women were getting paid 1/3 of what men were in boxing. America's coverage of the 2012 Olympics was all swimming and gymnastics. Even this year, women's boxing only made headlines because of controversy. (and by controversy, I mean transphobic assholes)

It was a lot for Shields to overcome, but she did it, and continues to do so.  Ryan Destiny does a great job of playing her. Brian Tyree Henry gives yet another amazing performance as Shields' coach, Jason. He kills it in everything.

This was a great debut for Morrison and I hope lots go out to see it when it debuts in theaters on Christmas day. You can't go wrong with a feel good sports movie over the holidays. 

Grade: B