Michelle Rodriguez and Jaime Tirelli in "Girlfight."

MOVIE INFORMATION

With 10 as a must-see, Jack gives this film an: Stars: Michelle Rodriguez Director: Karyn Kusama Rated: R Length: 122 minutes

ROCHESTERCRITIQUE

Having seen this film, how would you rate it? 10 5 9 4 8 3 7 2 6 1

By Jack Garner
Democrat and Chronicle

(October 20, 2000) -- Girlfight puts a novice actress and first-time filmmaker in the boxing ring -- and both score a knockout.

As written and directed by Karyn Kusama, Girlfight puts a refreshing, cross-gender spin on the classic fight-game scenario. In it, a young Brooklyn girl struggles for direction and self-worth, only finding it when she straps on the gloves.

From the moment we see Diana (Michelle Rodriguez) in the opening credits staring sullenly back at us as she leans against a wall of lockers in her high school, we know she's got attitude to spare.

We also sense she's going to blow up if she doesn't soon find some way to direct her anger. Her father is no help -- he might even have been abusive at some point. Her mother is dead. And her fellow students tease and taunt her -- probably because they know she'll short-circuit at the drop of an insult.

Diana's brother has an outlet -- through boxing lessons. But he's more interested in academics and has no interest in the sport. But since he's a guy, the macho father figures he should box.

One day, Diana goes to the gym on a errand for her father -- and discovers a world that intrigues her. She feels she belongs -- a world where people want her to punch people.

Though the veteran trainer (Jaimee Tirelli) is skeptical, he soon sees Diana has potential.

But Diana's life becomes complicated when her friendship with a fellow boxer (Santiago Douglas) shifts into a sweet but tentative romance. Imagine the difficulty when the two are matched in the first guy-girl match in the history of their boxing club.

Sure, Girlfight has many of the traits of a Rocky or a dozen other boxing films; but the cross-gender approach is more than enough to freshen the impact.

Under Kusama's careful guidance, Rodriguez contributes a debut performance of startling impact, bringing an almost-documentary reality to her life on the streets, her training in the gym, and her boxing in the ring. She's utterly believable as a boxer.

But also clearly displayed are Diana's wide range of emotions, from destructive rage to positive satisfaction to love. As well as a great right hook.