The Fire Inside

We had not heard of this movie but took a chance on it. We were very pleasantly surprised! From the very start to the end it kept your attention and brought tears to your eyes several times.

This movie was cast really well and the acting was superb. The story is amazing and was an excellent depiction of what life in poverty can be like.

The struggles she overcame by channeling her anger and her coach's dedication.

Love that this is an actual true story as it's so inspiring!! Also like that there's no nudity so this is one the entire family can see together.

Would highly recommend this movie.

The Fire Inside (2024) is a movie my wife and I saw in theaters this evening. The storyline follows Claressa "T-Rex" Shields as she navigates a challenging upbringing in Flint, Michigan. When she discovers boxing and begins chasing her Olympic dreams, we witness the struggles of balancing discipline with the demands of family, romantic interests, and a coach who both loves her and pushes her to greatness. The question remains: can she live up to her extraordinary potential?

This film is directed by Rachel Morrison in her major motion picture debut and stars Ryan Destiny (Star), Brian Tyree Henry (Bullet Train), De'Adre Aziza (She's Gotta Have It), and Olunike Adeliyi (Saw 3D).

The storyline, subplots, and characters are gripping and larger than life. Claressa's tragic upbringing, combined with the harsh realities of Flint, Michigan, makes her an easy character to root for. Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry deliver standout performances, with authentic dialogue and strong chemistry. The writing is better than expected, offering compelling storytelling about family dynamics, the challenges faced by women in sports, and the importance of self-worth.

In conclusion, The Fire Inside is an inspiring and impactful film about a remarkable individual overcoming impossible odds. I would score this a 7.5/10 and strongly recommend it.

Okay, so you've seen stories like this before, and this one here is based on an actual person and real life events.

This is the story of Claressa Shields, American female Olympic boxer and eventual professional.

Sadly, and somewhat ashamedly, I don't remember her or the events portrayed mostly here in this movie and around the 2012 Olympics in London.

I don't.

But you see, I don't fancy women's boxing.

As a matter of fact, here quite recently during the record breaking livestream broadcast of the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight, I watched every single fight on the undercard and the title fight itself, all the way through.

But when the women came on, I stopped watching momentarily, and took that as my opportunity to take a break.

I guess I'm part of the problem as addressed in this film.

I can't help it. I don't like watching women hitting each other, or just women getting hit in general.

I just don't like it. I don't find enjoyment in it.

But I did enjoy Million Dollar Baby years ago.

And I love, love, love the sport of boxing.

Men boxing.

Lifelong fan.

And I love boxing movies.

This is a good one.

Also a good American success story.

All of the actors are excellent here.

The direction and cinematography are all great.

Most of all, and best of all, this movie makes me want to watch Claressa Shields fight.

The real Claressa Shields. I'd watch that now.

I'm just sorry I haven't started following her sooner than this.

I'm not sure how much of this movie is factual and how much is fictionalized for dramatic effect, but I found it to be impactful. I don't follow boxing, so I wasn't familiar with this athlete previously. The story is multi-faceted, following not just her journey as an athlete, but also focusing on the relationships she has with her family and her coach. It's incredible what she overcame, and even more incredible that she hardly got any recognition for it, even after winning the olympic gold. This movie shows the obstacles women face in sports considered "men's sports". It was saddening to see that the medal was meaningless in her personal life for so long (this does eventually change, with a LOT of time). This movie also portrays the struggles of growing up in a toxic household. One thing that did bother me was that Claressa (in the movie) chose to stand by her family repeatedly despite the fact that she was clearly abused. Her real life relationships with them may have been much more nuanced, but in the movie, all we really see is neglect until the very last portion of the movie, where there is more understanding and love. To me it felt like she was throwing away her chance at a better life to support her abusers. Note this is just my perception, which may be biased wrongly. Overall, I think that this is an important movie to see - one that deals with gender inequality, gender norms, poverty, trauma, neglect, and grit.

When I first encountered this film, I had no inkling that it was about Claressa Shields. My introduction to her was through some Love & Hip Hop drama with Papoose and Remy Ma. However, upon immersing myself in The Fire Inside, it became evident that Shields is a force to be reckoned with, both inside and outside the ring. This movie, with its unique perspective, delves deep into the challenges of gender disparities in boxing and the arduous journey to the Olympics. It's a true underdog story that delivers a powerful punch of inspiration, leaving you with a renewed sense of determination.

Ryan Destiny came in swinging as Claressa, nailing the role with precision. You can tell she put in the work, which shows in those solid boxing scenes-they give just enough to hook you, letting your imagination fill in the gaps for the rest. Brian Tyree Henry played the role of coach and mentor like a true corner man, offering steady guidance and grit throughout the film

This movie certainly packs a punch. Unlike most 'based on a true story' films that stick to predictable formulas, The Fire Inside manages to break the mold. It skillfully weaves in drama, character growth, and just the right mix of struggle and triumph. It's a breath of fresh air in the boxing film genre, offering a unique blend of heart and history.

Final verdict? A strong 4 out of 5-it's a title fight worth watching!