"They Fight" — André Holland's Boxing Drama Is an Emotional "Gut Punch"
Carrying on the tradition of 'Creed' and 'Million Dollar Baby,' 'They Fight' finds compassion and warmth against the harsh backdrop of Washington DC through an unforgettable André Holland performance — according to the Guardian, one of the year's most touching sports films.
According to the Guardian's review, 'They Fight' is a boxing drama descended from 'Creed' and 'Million Dollar Baby' — and it proves once again why boxing remains a timeless allegory for the human condition. This time, the man facing the threat of hitting the canvas is Walt, played by André Holland.
Once a rising star on Washington DC's boxing scene, Walt lost his career to the city's drug trade. Released on parole after a lengthy prison sentence, the character tries to rebuild a life with his ex-girlfriend (Samira Wiley) and their young son. Wendell Pierce adds weight to the cast as Walt's mentor; Anthony B Jenkins, as Walt's son, is his partner in some of the film's most touching scenes.
What does it get right? Holland's performance is, in the Guardian's words, "indelible." He carries a man who hardens in the ring, softens at home in front of his child, and breaks while confronting his past, all without a single overplayed gesture. The way the director shoots Washington DC is also striking: not the tourist monuments, but abandoned gyms, apartment hallways and late-night bus stops.
Verdict. 'They Fight' doesn't reinvent genre conventions — but it wields the genre it works within with great skill, tenderness and toughness. It's a performance that should kick off awards-season conversations for Holland; Andscape's most mature production to date.
Source: The Guardian