Gritty boxing drama is the real sports biopic I’ve ever seen

Rachel Morrison has been a cinematographer for years and even earned a nomination for her stunning work on Mud. with The fire insideMorrison is in the director’s chair for the first time, and it’s safe to say that she has a solid future ahead of her in the role. Written by Barry Jenkins, The fire inside is based on the true story of Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, a professional boxer and two-time Olympic gold medalist. The sports biopic also emphasizes how being from Flint, an often-forgotten place, is a strength, and its existence cannot be erased.

The Fire Inn is just as realistic as it is inspirational

The fire inside is unique because it gives us the truth. Claressa (a fierce Ryan Destiny) may have won her first Olympic medal, but Morrison and Jenkins give us the aftermath of that win. It’s not sunshine and rainbows. Claressa struggles to pay her family’s bills, and her boxing coach, Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry), runs into obstacles getting Claressa sponsorship deals. Racism and sexism are factors, and none of the companies want to risk bringing Claressa if it means they won’t make any money. The disappointment is heartbreaking, and a contrast to the rush and excitement of winning.

Beyond the realistic portrayal of Claressa’s life before and after her first Olympic win, The fire inside Depicts the boxer with depth and humanity. She feels like a real person – imperfect, hard on herself, a self-proclaimed bully, a fighter and a struggling teenager. So often, biopics are more concerned with idolizing their subjects than delving into who they truly are. Jenkins’ script is the complete opposite of that. Claressa is flawed and that, more than anything, makes us root for her all the more. She doesn’t always make good choices, but she still deserves all her success.

The pacing of the film is excellent, as it builds to Claressa’s first win before the adrenaline drops, and we look at the hardships that continue. The fire inside is inspirational, but it’s also deeper than the athlete success stories we’re used to. Claressa’s story subverts expectations of what a great sports win looks like. After Claressa won an Olympic medal, I was not emotionally prepared for the despair that followed. Morrison structures the film so we’re riding on a high before it’s quickly taken away. Clarence’s win, for a while after, feels like it was a dream.

The Fire Inn boasts a heartwarming dynamic between Claressa and Jason

Brian Tyree Henry and Ryan Destiny are excellent together

All of Flint roots for Claressa, however The fire insideIts core relationship is between Henry and Destiny, who first broke up in the series Star. In her feature film debut as a lead, Destiny is astonishingly good. She balances Claressa’s emotional spectrum, which ranges from angry to heartbroken, triumphant to frustrated. Claressa wants to act differently to gain favor, and Destiny plays this with a solemn spark that underscores her desire to stay true to herself. Not playing the game is hard, but just as the film is grounded in reality, Claressa is just as firmly rooted in it.

Claressa finds stability with Jason, who not only trains her but takes her in after her mother, Jackie (Olunike Adelei), kicks her out. They are two peas in a pod, and Jason acts as a trainer and father figure to Claressa, believing in her ability to go far. Henry is wonderful as Jason; He is patient and kind, but also endlessly annoyed with Claressa when she gets her way. Henry knows how to balance Jason’s pushy coach sensibility with fatherly affection. He is gentle but firm and perfectly complements Destiny’s Claressa. They are the heart and soul of the film.

The fire inside manages to accomplish a lot in its nearly two-hour runtime. It’s a sports drama that encapsulates the experience of living in Flint and a strong, character-driven story that isn’t afraid to show the gritty aspects for what they are. Morrison and Jenkins balance both effectively, giving us a moving biopic that is full of humanity and depth. Come for boxing, stay for inspiration and truth.

The fire inside Premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. The film is 109 minutes long and rated PG-13 for some strong language, thematic elements and brief suggestive material.