Blonde Fist

A British drama; A working-class Liverpudlian who is prone to using her fists to settle disputes travels to New York to find her estranged father. Needing cash to rebuild her life she joins a women's boxing circuit. Lumbering drama with below par dialogue, especially the fighting talk which doesn't sink deeply and often lacks subtlety. Margi Clarke is striking, packing a mean punch as a scrappy and devoted mother. But there is very little to engage with due to a story that doesn't grip and some of the other performances are weak. The fight sequences are choreographed well but they are not impressive enough to wait around for.

I was reacquainted with Blonde Fist a couple of weeks ago thanks to Talking Pictures TV; I only have a vague memories of this film's release back in 1991 - it was concieved, I assume, as a star vehicle for flavour of the then moment Margie Clarke, who was on something of a roll following an impressive turn on the long neglected (and unfairly so) social drama 'Making Out'.

Written and directed by her brother, co-starring her sister, Blonde Fist soon sank without trace. Drably shot and sluggish paced, the story seems to take forever to get going; Margi Clarke tries, but she is uncomfortable as she is unconvincing in the leading role - hampered by an unfunny script that's stuck between the far superior Boys From The Back Stuff, or an overlong episode of the dreadful Liverpool based situation comedy Bread, and a supporting cast of sanctimonious bullies and clichéd stereotypes.

Give this one a miss - it flopped for a good reason; the only point of note is an early appearance by Stephen Graham, and a small role for veteran Scottish actress Julie Graham; both made a better ''fist' of their careers than Margi ever did...and neither of them were related.

I came across this on Netflix and thought I'd give it a go as the clip was amusing and featured a very very young Stephen Graham. The star is undoubtedly Margi Clarke who deserved to be much more of a star than she ever did. She was approaching 40 in this and was still incredibly beautiful. But looks aside she was a damn good actor too who unfortunately never really broke out of tv shows set in her roots of northern England. The film definitely loses much of its appeal once the story shifts to New York in the second half but don't let that put you off it's still worth the time.

The adventures of Ronnie, a tough working-class girl from Liverpool. The film follows Ronnie from the rough streets of Liverpool, to prison and then to New York. The characters are cliched and comical but the film doesn't take itself seriously, so I think it gets away with it. It has many funny and touching moments and I enjoyed it. Everyone I know thought it hilarious and Margi Clark suits the role of crude-talking wisecracking Ronnie. A film of its time.

This is probably the worst film of all time. Margi Clarke not to be outdone is also the worst actress of all time, so quite a good fit. Honestly it is terrible.