By: Dominic La-Viola
In her latest role, Sydney Sweeney proves that she is more than just a pretty face with an exquisite body.
From her debut on HBO’s “Euphoria,” Sweeney was unofficially dubbed a sex icon. For her portrayal of Cassie. The hyper sexual “it” girl who was shown in compromising scenes, including nudity.
Something that many believed cost her a nomination at the Emmys for her role .
Make no mistake, for this film does deal with sexual situations, sexual expression, and sexual topics that are far more intense than frat dudes making sex videos.
Yet the way the film approaches the matter is so tastefully done. Capturing the story and the events in the way in which they occurred without sexualizing the situations.
For the film tells the story of Christy Martin, a world champion female boxer. The one who truly put women’s boxing on the map and gave the sport a platform.
However, there is more to the story than simply the entertaining and downright amazing fights in which she took part.
The film not only tells the story of how she got her start, from being nothing more than a coal miners daughter from West Virginia. A girl who just enters a tough man competition (boxing match) for fun.
A closeted lesbian with no boxing background and no real interest in the sport at first. Someone whose personal and home life is more of a fight than any match in the ring.
“Christy” deals with a lot of sensitive material. Such as sexual identity, sexual preference, domestic violence, religious overreach, and so much more. Yet none of the subject matter ever overwhelms the forefront of the story. The story of how Christy Martin changed boxing history.
Director David Michôd does a spectacular job crafting the story in such a way that you are pulled in completely. Captivated by everything you’re seeing and hearing, feeling every punch and emotional jab. The film has this perfect balance that is so flawless, you almost miss there’s nothing out of place. Not a single scene.
Sweeny’s performance is, of course, top-notch. Showing and proving to everyone that she has what it takes to be one of the greats. Putting herself on another level of her generations up and coming Hollywood A-Listers.
Ben Foster, an actor who always brings it and never phones it in, is no exception here. His performance is so spot-on that you have this distaste for his character from the first time you meet him, and it rightfully never goes away.
Overall, this is a masterful film. One that pulls no punches and doesn’t try to shield you from anything, nor does it shy away from subject matter that other films wouldn’t touch. Capturing the story perfectly. This is one of the best and possibly going to be one of the most underrated films of the year. A film you don’t want to miss!
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars.
Four Time Film School Dropout 
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