"The Fire Inside" is an emotional, knockout punch

December 26, 2024

Courtesy: Amazon MGM Studios

"The Fire Inside" is the inspirational, true story about high school student Claressa "T-Rex" Shields, from Flint, Michigan, becoming the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing at age 17, overcoming monumental obstacles in her professional and personal life to prove her worth of being on the boxing stage. The film premiered earlier this year at the Toronto International Film Festival and officially on December 25 to critical acclaim for the storyline, direction, and incredible performances.

Starring a fantastic Ryan Destiny as Claressa "T-Rex" Shields overcoming all odds with the help of her tenacious coach Jason Crutchfield, played by the equally outstanding Brian Tyree Henry, the film also stars Judy Greer and Jessica Grossi. It was written by Barry Jenkins (Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk), directed by Rachel Morrison (famed cinematographer making her directorial debut), and distributed by Amazon MGM Studios.

Claressa Shields is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and one of only four boxers in history, regardless of gender, to hold all four major titles in boxing. It's her drive and passion that propels Sheilds against all odds to train tirelessly without the advantage of having professional trainers. From humble beginnings, which depicts her poverty, Sheilds shows up to train every single day without the luxury of transportation, and she eventually gets kicked out of her mother's home, where her coach takes her in. It's where the relationship blossoms between the two as Crutchfield continues to nurture and mentor Shields, honing her passion for qualifying for the 2012 Olympics.

Courtesy: Amazon MGM Studios

Sheilds' determination to shatter the glass ceiling and the mentoring relationship between Crutchfield and Sheilds drive the film equally in a sport that does not value women. Shields not only shatters the glass ceiling but powers through with grit and determination and rises above her family trauma brought on by her addict mother and societal limitations and expectations that threaten to define her but lead to her empowerment.

Even when the glass ceiling is shattered, the film importantly showcases the disparity between Black female athletes and their male counterparts. There are no endorsements, no Super Max contracts, and no exclusive brand that came knocking to put her image on a Wheaties box. No, that honor is reserved for "brandable" athletes, and Sheilds is not one of them. Opportunities are slim to nonexistent, and Sheilds must face the hard truth. It's what Sheilds does with that truth that makes the film a knockout.

The movie is not just a boxing movie but it's one about the human spirit that defines and follows Claressa Sheilds' amazing journey in and out of the ring. 

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