Movie Reviews
Christie
Running time: 135 minutes. November 7th at the theatre.
Toronto – The boxing film finally breaks Sidney Sweeney out of the constraints of typical Hollywood roles.
In “Christie,” a biopic about the fighter Christy Martin, Sweeney takes a notable leap. The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Friday.
As the film unfolds, it becomes clear that many of her previous roles—like in “White Lotus”—fade away, at least for a while.
“They said they felt like I had a demon,” Sweeney’s Martin muses, speaking in a brogue that brings to mind Amanda Seyfried’s portrayal of Elizabeth Holmes in “Dropout.”
“Maybe that’s true. Maybe I’ll do that,” she adds.
Sweeney’s performance holds promise. The complexity she brings to her characters, especially the dark side displayed in HBO’s “Euphoria,” highlights a stark evolution in her craft, tracing back to a career filled with highs and lows.
Some scenes might just leave you taken aback.
For those unfamiliar with Martin’s harrowing journey, the latter part of the film is downright shocking.
Directed by Australia’s David Mikodo, “Christie” starts off like an underdog sports film but quickly reveals deeper complexities. One humorous moment emerges when Christie, in a training scene, accidentally knocks a man down in the ring before apologizing with a laugh.
Set to an upbeat montage, Christie’s physical transformation is striking. Her look is straight out of the ’90s, embodying a fierce persona that says she could easily stand her ground.
Interestingly, her signature attire veers somewhere between a Power Ranger and a pink character from “Grease.”
In stark contrast, a sense of dread also creeps in.
Yet, the film makes it clear that “Christie” isn’t merely about sports.
Unlike Rocky Balboa, Christie is undeniably skilled but often wins her fights. However, this film digs deeper, serving as a candid character study that portrays the darker side of her life.
Christie Salters, whose mother Joyce (played by Merritt Weber) deals with more than just her daughter’s boxing career, faces extreme challenges, including the societal whispers about her sexuality.
To escape her struggles, Christie jumps into boxing, and her initial trainer, James Martin, takes advantage of her vulnerability, pushing her into a marriage.
Ben Foster’s portrayal of James transforms him into a villainous figure, just as compelling as Sweeney.
Eventually, Christy meets Don King (Chad L. Coleman) and transitions from her humble Daytona Beach apartment to a glamorous life defined by a flashy pink BMW.
Ultimately, “Christie” intertwines boxing with themes of toxic relationships and abuse, building a narrative that feels continuously precarious.
She searches for solace with her high school girlfriend Rosie (Jess Gabor) and a new co-trainer (Katie O’Brian), but jealousy leads to dangerous confrontations.
The film’s final act is a traumatic experience for many viewers.
Yet, it could have delved into even more graphic detail, and Mikodo walks a fine line, resolving not to reveal everything.
I appreciate the balance he achieves.
However, I do feel that Joyce and Jim are portrayed as overly villainous—almost like caricatures, lacking depth that could have added nuance.
While Jim does something egregious and ends up in prison, their characters could benefit from more complexity and humanity.
In the end, Sweeney delivers a standout performance, and “Christie” marks a significant shift in her career, showing her range beyond typical romantic or comedic roles.
