| GIRLFIGHT |
2000 - USA
Director: Karyn Kusama - Reviewed by Linda
The press has been all agog about Michelle Rodriguez, the star of Girlfight, since the film's showing at Sundance (where it shared top honors). Apparently she is one of those "out of nowhere" discoveries... she had never acted before, nor was she even a boxer. But boy oh boy, the fuss, for once, is for good reason. Rodriguez completely carries the film Girlfight practically on her kick-ass presence alone. I know she could kick my ass, for sure... in fact, she could probably kick all of our asses. The premise is pretty much a Rocky-type story, but with a tough high school chick as the hero. Diana (Rodriguez) sneaks off to join a very-male boxing club, to get out her aggression, and discovers something that she loves and that she is actually good at. There is a typical love story thrown in and a climactic fight you'd expect, but the film is quite invigorating and inspiring, showing us an old story with a new twist. It is surprising, really, how fresh the very typical sports-movie story feels, just by simply changing the gender of the protagonist. Girlfight, despite having a pretty-much predictable plot, is well worth a view. I think it is pretty darn cool just having a film with a female lead, who is not Julia Roberts (or who isn't white, fer cryin' out loud!), isn't a victim, and doesn't kill people with an ice pick. More movies like Girlfight! Please!!! Yee-HAW, indeed! |
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I think
Girlfight has
one of the greatest character-developing opening shots that I've seen in
a long time: A crowded high school hallway... the camera focuses through
the crowd on a tomboyish girl, leaning against her locker, looking down.
Cut to crowd shot. Cut back to girl, but closer. Crowd shot. Now you're looking
at her down-turned face, a pretty girl, but no-nonsense, no makeup. Crowd
shot. Without lifting her chin, girl looks at the camera, black eyes in
a scowl, whites-only under her pupils. Yee-HAW! The festival audience hooted in appreciation. That look could send anyone
running! 