The Fire Inside review – Olympic boxing biopic is a knockout
This solid biopic of Claressa 'T-Rex' Shields (Ryan Destiny), who overcame systemic sexism in the sports world and a challenging, impoverished childhood in Flint, Michigan to become, in 2012, the first US female boxer to earn Olympic gold, doesn't break much in the way of new ground. But The Fire Inside, which was scripted by Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) and directed by cinematographer turned first-time feature film-maker Rachel Morrison, understands that, with storytelling as with fighting, sometimes all you need to do is stand firm and land the punches.
Largely thanks to the raw intensity of Destiny's central performance, and to the focus on community as much as individual triumph, the film does exactly that. Not surprisingly, given Morrison's background (she was Oscar-nominated for her camerawork on Mudbound, and also shot Fruitvale Station and Black Panther), the film is strikingly photographed by Rina Yang – a wintry palette of frostbitten Michigan greys and blues that's a neat contrast to the heat of Shields's ambition and anger.
In UK and Irish cinemas
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
22 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Jury resumes deliberations in Harvey Weinstein sex crimes retrial
The panel, which was handed the case on Thursday morning, has requested to hear a readback of some testimony from two of Weinstein's accusers, as well as to see medical records from one of those women. The jury of seven women and five men is considering two counts of criminal sex act and one count of rape against the 73-year-old Oscar-winning movie producer, with the criminal sex act charges the higher-degree felonies. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty. Sexual misconduct allegations against Weinstein propelled the #MeToo movement in 2017. He was eventually convicted of sex crimes in New York and California, but the New York conviction was overturned last year, leading to the retrial before a new jury and a different judge. Jurors heard more than five weeks of evidence, including lengthy testimony from three accusers.
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Welsh star opens new local skatepark in Cardiff
A new 'destination' skatepark has opened in Llanrumney, with Dirty Sanchez' Matthew Pritchard cutting the ribbon at the long awaited facility and taking the first skate. Plans for the project were first announced by Cardiff Council three years ago as part of the council's Skateboard Amenities project that will see the city filled with new skateparks across the city over the next ten years, subject to funding. Work started on the new park in December 2024 and finally opened today - Friday, June 6. The East Side park in Llanrumney, next to the Eastern Leisure Centre, has multiple obstacles including ledges, rails, hubbas, manual pads, stairs, banks as well as a quarter pipe making it both fun and challenging for those looking to learn or hone their skating skills. The local skateboard community worked with consultants, VDZ+A and Newline Skateparks, to design the 1,000m2 skatepark. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here It has been designed to be suitable for skaters of all ages and abilities, and is built from concrete, providing a higher quality, lower maintenance and lower noise facility than the old timber-framed skatepark it replaces. Dirty Sanchez star and Welsh skateboarder, Matt Pritchard joined skaters to open the facility. He said: "It's what we need in Cardiff. I'm 52 now, and when I first started skateboarding, we had nothing in Cardiff, so to have facilities like this is amazing. "It's really good for the kids as well, especially now that skateboarding is in the Olympics and is being taken seriously. Fair play to Cardiff Council, they've done an amazing job, and it's nice to see them investing in skateboarding in Cardiff." Cabinet member for culture, parks and events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: "This is the first skate park to be built as part of our new skateboard strategy and it's already proving to be a real hit with the city's skate community. "The skate scene in Cardiff is really vibrant and diverse – you've got young children and teenagers, all the way through to older skaters who are now introducing their own kids to what is now an Olympic sport. The new East Side skate park is part of our long-term strategy to support and grow the skateboard community for years to come." Here are pictures of the new skatepark in Llanrumney.
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
James Norton and Rebecca Adlington take part in 10-hour charity swim
Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington and actor James Norton have taken part in a wild sea swim for a marine conservation charity. On Friday, the two were among those to take the plunge in a 10-hour endurance ocean swim at Joss Bay in Kent, to raise money for the Blue Marine Foundation, a charity committed to addressing overfishing. Ahead of the event, they shared their earliest memories of the sea and pressed the importance of allowing future generations to 'experience the magic of healthy seas'. Ms Adlington told the PA news agency: 'I've always felt a deep connection to water, so when the opportunity came up to support coastal restoration through this event with Talisker and Blue Marine Foundation, it just felt like a natural fit. 'As a swimming challenge, this one stands out because of its direct impact on protecting and preserving marine life, with £150 from every kilometre swum helping to fund essential conservation work.' The two-time gold medal swimmer added: 'I hope people see this event as more than just a challenge, it's a call to action.' A report published by Blue Marine Foundation in July 2024 noted a 92% UK reduction in seagrass meadows and a 95% decline in native oyster reefs over the last century. Happy Valley actor Norton said: 'Like everyone, I'm in awe of the ocean. It's wild, powerful, and under threat. 'Taking a stand is about protecting biodiversity and ensuring future generations can experience the magic of healthy seas.' He added that his family goes by the mantra 'you'll never regret a swim' but admitted he had never been involved with this level of endurance swimming. New government regulations came into force on Friday which give water industry regulator Ofwat the power to retrospectively prevent bonuses paid in cash, shares or long-term incentive schemes to chief executives and chief financial officers for breaches of environmental, customer service or financial standards in a given financial year. Ms Adlington did not have a direct challenge for water companies in the UK but added that the Blue Marine Foundation was committed to coastal regeneration and improving UK waters. Ahead of the event, Norton said: 'My earliest memories of the sea are going on day trips to Scarborough. 'My whole village would cram into a coach and head to the beach for a day of fish and chips, rock and candy floss.' For every kilometre swum by participants at Joss Bay between 7am and 5pm on Friday, Talisker, who are supporting the event, will donate £150 to the foundation.
