Actress Sydney Sweeney is right to defend her latest project, the boxing biopic 'Christy', despite its disappointing performance in American cinemas, according to a new review. The film, which opened on over 2,000 screens in the US, has become one of the year's notable commercial failures.
A Punch That Missed Its Mark at the Box Office
The film 'Christy' (rated 15, 135 minutes) chronicles the life of Christy Martin, the most successful female boxer of the 1990s. Sweeney portrays Martin, who was promoted by the legendary, shock-haired Don King, played by Chad Coleman. However, the review identifies three key reasons for the film's financial struggle: Sweeney is not yet a major box office draw like Julia Roberts, her transformation makes her less recognisable than in hits like 'Anyone But You', and the real-life Christy Martin lacks widespread name recognition.
Critically, the performance itself has been praised. The review notes that Sweeney delivers "considerable flashes" of a powerful, women-first portrayal. In the ring, her character packs a stronger punch than the film's narrative does. Much of the drama stems from her coercive relationship with trainer and husband Jim Martin, played by Ben Foster, and a difficult dynamic with her mother, portrayed by Merritt Wever.
More Than Just a Boxing Movie
The review argues that 'Christy' is not purely a sports film. It delves into heavy themes including domestic abuse, sexual coercion, drugs, and discrimination, all from a vulnerable, female perspective. While it is deemed not as impactful as 'Girlfight' (2000) or 'Million Dollar Baby' (2004), and lacks the pure entertainment value of 'Rocky' (1976), it is described as never boring.
Viewers are warned that the film contains an extended, harrowing scene that some may find unwatchable, leading to questions over its 15 certificate. The review concludes that Sweeney has invested everything in the role and the project proves her resilience, suggesting she will continue to pursue challenging roles on her own terms.
Other Film Releases Reviewed
The review also covers two other new releases. 'Zootropolis 2' (PG, 108 mins) sees the return of rabbit police officer Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) nine years after the Oscar-winning original. The sequel focuses on diversity and unity in the animal utopia, with the villain being Gary DeSnake, voiced by Ke Huy Quan. It is described as light-hearted, colourful fun suitable for undemanding viewers of all ages.
'Pillion' (18, 107 mins) is a much more adult-oriented drama. It stars Alexander Skarsgård as Ray, a dominant gay biker, and Harry Melling as his willingly submissive partner, Colin. Directed by Harry Lighton and adapted from Adam Mars-Jones's novel 'Box Hill', the film is rated 18 for strong sex and nudity. The review notes its explicit content may not be for all audiences, but praises the lead performances and astute direction, positioning it as a mainstream gay drama following in the footsteps of films like 'Queer' (2024).
The reviews were written by Graham Young, a film journalist who has been reviewing in Birmingham since 1989 and is a former UK Regional Film Journalist of the Year.
