What’s It About
The story of Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, a boxer from Flint, Mich., who trained to become the first woman in her country’s history to win an Olympic gold medal in the sport.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
“The Fire Inside” brings us a true story that packs as much punch as “Rocky,” but with a crucial twist – it actually happened. This sports drama follows Claressa Shields, a boxing prodigy from Flint, Michigan, who smashed records and made history, though she hasn’t gotten nearly the recognition she deserves. The story follows Claressa (played by newcomer Ryan Destiny) as she trains in Flint, a city most people know for its ongoing water crisis. But there’s more to Flint than its struggles, and Claressa proves that with her incredible journey to become the first U.S. boxer – male or female – to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals. Behind the camera, Rachel Morrison makes her directing debut after working as a cinematographer on hits like “Black Panther” and “Mudbound.” She brings a fresh eye to how Claressa’s story unfolds, especially in showing the daily challenges of growing up in an economically struggling city. Ryan Destiny shines in her first major movie role as Claressa. She nails both the physical demands of playing a boxer and the emotional weight of being a kid who had to grow up too fast. When she’s in the ring, you believe every punch, and when she’s dealing with life’s disappointments, you feel those hits too. The movie really comes alive when showing the relationship between Claressa and her coach, Jason Crutchfield (played by Brian Tyree Henry). So Jason considers it kind of a wild idea. A girl boxer? But Claressa’s raw talent and determination soon stop his thought process. Their bond transforms from coach and athlete to family. Henry also brings real depth to Jason, making him very human. It’s not just a vision of a boy and his father – real life at home with Jason, real life with his family who is trying to steer Claressa toward her dreams. But then there is a turn in the story, which is unexpected. Usually, winning Olympic gold means instant fame and fortune. Not for Claressa. Despite making history, she ends up back in high school, signing autographs at bowling alleys to make extra cash. The movie doesn’t shy away from showing how being a young Black woman in a traditionally male sport meant facing extra hurdles, even after becoming a champion. There’s this gut-punch of a scene where Claressa’s at the grocery store, carrying her sister’s baby, and sees Michael Phelps plastered all over Wheaties boxes. It really drives home the unfair difference in how male and female athletes – especially Black female athletes – are treated after Olympic success. What sets “The Fire Inside” apart is how it tackles these difficult issues without being preachy. Rather than simply showing Claressa overcoming challenges, it forces you to question why those challenges exist in the first place. The movie points out how ridiculous it is that someone who achieved something no other American boxer has done still had to fight for basic opportunities and recognition. The film also does a great job showing Flint’s community. Instead of falling into stereotypes, it presents a complete picture – the good and the bad. When Claressa heads to the Olympics, you see the whole city come together to root for their hometown hero, proving there’s more to Flint than what makes the news. The direction from Morrison really stands out during the boxing scenes as they captivate and excite. However, the most gripping moments happen outside the ring, when Claressa has to defend herself against a system set against her. She’s forced into a position to both validate and justify not only her boxing, but the loftiest of ambitions, and the film showcases how utterly taxing those demands upon one’s character can be. Another refreshing thing about this film is how it portrays the people in Claressa’s life. Nobody’s just a good guy or bad guy – everyone’s human, with their own struggles and reasons for acting the way they do. Take Claressa’s mom (played by Oluniké Adeliyi) – while she’s not winning any parent-of-the-year awards, the movie helps you understand her situation without excusing it. The whole cast brings their A-game, but Destiny’s performance as Claressa really stands out. She captures everything from teenage attitude to deep determination, showing both Claressa’s toughness and her vulnerability. In interviews, her Claressa is refreshingly honest, freely admitting she enjoys hitting people with a smile that makes you believe her. What sets “The Fire Inside” apart from other sports movies is its focus on what happens after the big victory. Instead of ending with Olympic glory, it shows the frustrating reality of what came next. Despite being a champion, Claressa faced closed doors and missed opportunities because she didn’t fit the narrow image of what people thought a female athlete should be. The movie wraps up by showing that sometimes the biggest fights happen outside the ring. It’s not merely Claressa’s story about medals, but a story about trying to be herself even if the world puts some other demands on her. While boxing matches keep one gripping the edge of the seat, it is the charity of much larger stories of breaking glass ceilings to not back down that really hits the hardest.
OUR RATING – A MICHIGAN 8