Like all good 'sports' (or 'activity') movies, 'Fighting With My Family (2019)' cuts to the heart of its story and appeals to all audiences, whether or not they're fans of its focal pastime. In this case, that pastime is wrestling, which I have a passing knowledge of but no real deep affinity for - or, indeed, understanding of. Yet, this flick had me gripped, even during the purely in-ring segments. It follows a familiar 'rags to riches' story but sprinkles, unsurprisingly, a hefty dose of family drama on there, too. It's characters are crafted to be likeable, believable and flawed. They're given a fair bit to overcome, which is why it's all the more satisfying whenever they do so. The stakes are also slightly unconventional, usually being more internal than is customary with the genre. The comedy, while sometimes fairly broad, frequently puts a smile on your face and often makes you chuckle. It adds to the overall entertainment value of a piece that isn't afraid to veer into slightly darker territory. The narrative itself is clean and constantly forward-moving. The only real issue is the somewhat rushed finale, which makes the protagonist's shift from 'time to train' to 'this is your big shot' seem incredibly - and unbelievably - quick. It's not a huge issue, though, and the finish itself is satisfying, mainly because Merchant wisely chooses to hold his cards closer to his chest here. All of this makes for a winning formula: a feel-good, self-professed 'Rocky (1976)'-esque, funny yet heartfelt tale which might not be all that unique but earns its emotional beats and ultimate outcome pretty much twofold. 7/10
Review of Fighting with My Family
