Blonde Fist

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.

Ravishing platinum-topped pugilist Margi Clarke is on prime gobby form as pugnacious single mum Ronnie O'Dowd in cult 90s Lively-bird drama 'Blonde Fist'. This engagingly rough-hewn, Kirby-set gem about a boozy working class scrappin' scouser and his no less hot-headed daughter is a comedic knock-out ripe for rediscovery! While some of the dramatic elements are a trifle ham-fisted, Frank Clarke's mostly witty text scintillates with a number of eminently quotable zingers!

There's a brief appearance by a young, snot-nosed Stephen Graham, Margi's fiesty prison scrap with fathole (Big Alice) remains a squalling cat-fighting treat, and the still-gorgeous Giallo Siren Carroll Baker is an absolute riot as sassy, warm-hearted ex-showgirl Lovelle Summers. You have to hand it to Margi as it takes some Promethean chutzpah to gamely deliver this deliciously clunky line to her absconding ex: "Don't come back 'ere like a thief in the night!!!!" and, almost, get away with it! I'm not claiming Blonde Fist is Ken Loachian quality, but the noisome protagonists are frequently fun, and this quirky 90s time capsule is a joyous reminder that Margi's a phooken goddess, mate!

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 one of my favourite films of all times. I've watched it dozens of times. The plot of the film is probably less important than the brilliant one-liners and cameos, although maybe you have to be British to understand the subtle but incandescently funny subtexts that run through the whole film.

Margi is an excellent actress although I guess her in depth experience of the Liverpool psyche means she was playing a role that was kind of like just being herself a lot of the time maybe?

You have to realise that not all the lines are meant literally. Like in the fight scene at the beginning of the programme (has me in stitches every time I watch it). The wonderful Margi Clarke gets fisty cuffs with the superb actress Tina Malone. Tina warns Margi "Now GIT... Before I throw a bucket of p&*^ss water over ya". This is a classically hilarious line. Please don't construe from this that all people in Northern England keep a bucket of urine water handy, ready to throw over aggressive strangers.

:)

A

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.