TORONTO – Underdog sports stories are a dime a dozen. Scrappy athlete – often from a disenfranchised background – makes it to the big game, title match, or final race to emerge a heroic champion. And, truth be told, these are real, life-changing outcomes that happen multiple times a year across the globe. What movies and the media often ignore, is what happens after the coronation. Because, for many, it doesn’t result in the untold riches they dreamed of. That’s perhaps the most intriguing element of “The Fire Inside,” a world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
The feature directorial debut of celebrated cinematographer Rachel Morrison and featuring an original screenplay from Barry Jenkins, the biographical drama begins and ends with Claressa “T-Rex” Shields (Ryan Destiny). Growing up with her two younger siblings and an often absentee single mother (Oluniké Adeliyi) in Flint, Michigan, life was rough for Claressa, and going to bed hungry was a regular occurrence. We never truly discover why, but boxing called to her. At 8 years old she walked into Jason Crutchfield‘s boxing gym wanting to spar with the other boys. Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry) initially dismisses her, but she refuses to leave. When he gives her a shot in the ring, he is genuinely surprised. She has a spark, a fire, that most of the boys don’t have.
Fast forward almost a decade later, and Shields has proven herself as an amateur female boxer. Her goal? To win the first Olympic Gold Medal for female boxing being handed out at the 2012 London Olympics. There are obstacles, of course. Crutchfield is concerned that she’s distracted by a relationship with her sparring partner, Lil Zay (Idrissa Sanogo), her younger sister becomes pregnant, her father attempts to re-enter her life after being incarcerated for years, and, her already strained relationship breaks down with her mother, forcing her to move in with Crutchfield and his family. And both Morrison and Jenkins ground this deluge with enough sensitivity to avoid the potential scourge of melodrama.
In the ring, Shields’s talent is undeniable, but her small stature makes her a somewhat unconventional fighter. She counts on Crutchfield’s strategy and advice while in a fight. Unfortunately, Crutchfield is not a sanctioned USA Boxing or International Boxing Association-sanctioned coach. That puts Shields in uncharted territory when she heads to China for the Olympic qualifiers and has to listen to new coaches who don’t understand her boxing style. It also leads to festering resentment over Crutchfield not being there for her when she needed him the most.
A quick spoiler alert for the obvious – you know it the moment you begin watching the movie – but Shields broke that glass ceiling as Team USA landed one of its first gold medals in boxing in eight years. Traditionally, this would be the climax of Shield’s story. The happy ending lifted her out of Flint and into a comfortable life for her and her family. Except it didn’t. And her story is far from over.
The last third of “The Fire Inside” finds Shields faced with a dream deferred. Despite Crutchfield’s best efforts as a hustling business manager, no companies will partner with her. No one will sponsor her. She isn’t making the cover of a Wheaties box. As a sympathetic sports agent confides in Crutchfield, “women beating each other up” doesn’t sell to corporate America. And, at just 17, Shields finds herself at a career crossroads.
Considering how straightforward the film is, Morrison does a more than admirable job of keeping the proceedings moving. She also shows a deft touch with her cast including guiding a very strong performance from Destiny (Tyree Henry is as pro’s pro, as good as ever). Nonetheless, apart from a beguiling opening shot the visual touches are much less inspired. Perhaps it’s too much to assume Morrison’s cinematography background would give the film a distinct visual flair, but it wouldn’t have hurt. Despite the post-win storyline, Morrison is also hindered by the over-familiarity of this genre. Unless you have truly transcendent performances or unforgettable cinematic moments, it’s difficult for this genre of sports story to really throw a unique punch.
The fact T-Rex’s story has even made it to the big screen might just be the real win, however. Those underdog stories fade fast. There are just so many of them. And as the end cards reveal, at arguably the most emotional moment in the film, her story is one for the history books. [C+]
“The Fire Inside” will open in theaters on December 25.
Catch up with The Playlist’s complete coverage from the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival