227.
Fighting with my Family
9/10
Being a WWE fan since I can remember, back when they were actually great and called WWF, this movie is going to show the background of one of their most recent pioneers on the female side of the curtain. We are about to see the rise and rise of Saraya Knight, also known to the wrestling world as Paige. Florence Pugh is going to bring her to the big screen and with Nick Frost playing dad, Lena Headey playing mom and Vince Vaughn as our main coach, it seems like we are going to get some British comedy with an American heart. Being written and directed by Stephen Merchant can only be a good thing, surely? Let's get into the ring and see what's in store.
The Bevis' are a wrestling family, doing the rounds across Britain and we are quickly introduced to young versions of the siblings as they fight over the TV. They are stopped by their dad, who shows them better techniques. This then skips into the ring as they are teaching local kids in the family gym. Zak, the brother and Saraya, now going under the name Paige from her favourite TV show, often perform on the circuit. Zak's missis falls pregnant and the two families have to meet over dinner at the Bevis household. Being from two different worlds, The Bevis family are vulgar and come with no filter, whilst the other parents are much more upper class. During dinner, the family receives a call that the siblings have been asked to try out for WWE.
On arrival, they bump into The Rock who gives them his own style of pep-talk and then head into the ring. Hutch Morgan played by Vince Vaughn, puts them bother and others through their paces and at the end, Paige is the only one chosen. She runs after Hutch, demanding that he also takes Zak but that isn't an option. Zak is the one who demands that she does it for the family. They have an older brother who is in jail after not taking the same rejection too well. She gives in and heads off to NXT to training.
The Bevis' are a wrestling family, doing the rounds across Britain and we are quickly introduced to young versions of the siblings as they fight over the TV. They are stopped by their dad, who shows them better techniques. This then skips into the ring as they are teaching local kids in the family gym. Zak, the brother and Saraya, now going under the name Paige from her favourite TV show, often perform on the circuit. Zak's missis falls pregnant and the two families have to meet over dinner at the Bevis household. Being from two different worlds, The Bevis family are vulgar and come with no filter, whilst the other parents are much more upper class. During dinner, the family receives a call that the siblings have been asked to try out for WWE.
On arrival, they bump into The Rock who gives them his own style of pep-talk and then head into the ring. Hutch Morgan played by Vince Vaughn, puts them bother and others through their paces and at the end, Paige is the only one chosen. She runs after Hutch, demanding that he also takes Zak but that isn't an option. Zak is the one who demands that she does it for the family. They have an older brother who is in jail after not taking the same rejection too well. She gives in and heads off to NXT to training.
In Florida, Saraya feels really alone. She's a plain girl with a gothic style whilst the other girl involved are mostly models or the cheerleader type with zero experience of wrestling. She gives it her all but is truly exhausted. Calling home now and again to let the family know how hard it is out there. We don't see Zak much though, as the parents are making loads of money off her success already. They don't really seem to care for how she is actually feeling and are trying to live their dreams through her. This is what they wanted for themselves and are not kind of forcing it on their children. Saraya tries to get in touch with her brother for some support but he's no help. He too jealous and even calls Hutch begging for another shot, but is told to just leave it go. Back home, he ignores the wife and child and even the students at the gym.
At her first match with NXT, Paige is badly heckled by the crowd and the other divas take advantage of this on the mic. This leads her to change her image to a blonde, tanned piece, just like the others. Back on the bus, this turns nasty as she thinks the other girls are talking about her but they are actually only chatting about their families and reasons for them being there.
They argue with Saraya, telling her that she never really made an effort with them and this is overheard by Hutch. Outside the bus, she asks why Zak was never chosen. He explains that he saved him from a life as a jobber, which would alienate his family and lead to injury on the chase. This is exactly the life that he led until this training job. Given the advice to quit, Saraya heads home for Christmas with a choice to make.
Whilst at home, she is made to perform with her family and Zak, in his jealousy, doesn't hold his punches. The night ends with him breaking the news to the parents that Saraya is thinking of leaving the training camp. The father is tamping but the mom actually supports her decision, all whilst they are driving around to find Zak. He found his way to a pub to pick a fight with a group of lads. Before it gets too nasty, the dad is there to drag him away and he once again storms off. Saraya finally catches up with him and they have a right barmy. He doesn't want her to throw away the one thing that he can't have. She's left to explain that he has a girlfriend and child that love him and he's in fear of losing them.
Saraya has made her decision and she going to carry on the Paige persona, going back to her black hair and pale skin. She trains harder than ever and makes friends with the other girls in any way she knows how. The older brother is now out of the joint and even Zak is coming around, making amends with the students and begins training again. Paige survives another round of cuts and as a reward, the group is taken to Wrestlemania. Hutch brings her into a private office and in walks The Rock. Hutch leaves and Paige is asked to call her parents with The Rock wishes to talk to them. At first, they hang up, not believing that it's truly him. He tries again and this time, after a little proof, they listen to what he has to say. He breaks the news that Paige will make her debut on TV the night after Mania. All of this after Paige thinking that this was the end. Everyone, as you can imagine, are both shocked and thrilled. The next night Paige is in the dressing room, waiting to debut but is clearly nervous. The one person she can call is her brother, who clarifies everything and tells her to get out there. She heads out, beats the champ and becomes champion on her first night.
Whilst at home, she is made to perform with her family and Zak, in his jealousy, doesn't hold his punches. The night ends with him breaking the news to the parents that Saraya is thinking of leaving the training camp. The father is tamping but the mom actually supports her decision, all whilst they are driving around to find Zak. He found his way to a pub to pick a fight with a group of lads. Before it gets too nasty, the dad is there to drag him away and he once again storms off. Saraya finally catches up with him and they have a right barmy. He doesn't want her to throw away the one thing that he can't have. She's left to explain that he has a girlfriend and child that love him and he's in fear of losing them.
Saraya has made her decision and she going to carry on the Paige persona, going back to her black hair and pale skin. She trains harder than ever and makes friends with the other girls in any way she knows how. The older brother is now out of the joint and even Zak is coming around, making amends with the students and begins training again. Paige survives another round of cuts and as a reward, the group is taken to Wrestlemania. Hutch brings her into a private office and in walks The Rock. Hutch leaves and Paige is asked to call her parents with The Rock wishes to talk to them. At first, they hang up, not believing that it's truly him. He tries again and this time, after a little proof, they listen to what he has to say. He breaks the news that Paige will make her debut on TV the night after Mania. All of this after Paige thinking that this was the end. Everyone, as you can imagine, are both shocked and thrilled. The next night Paige is in the dressing room, waiting to debut but is clearly nervous. The one person she can call is her brother, who clarifies everything and tells her to get out there. She heads out, beats the champ and becomes champion on her first night.
She addresses the crowd, finally being successful on the mics, telling them she done it for the misfits and that this is 'HER HOUSE NOW', which is a trademark phrase for her these days. The text at the end explains how much of a trailblazer Paige has been for the company and as the credits roll, we are treated to snippets and pictures of the real family.
I absolutely loved this movie and even got around to seeing it on the big screen twice. Being a fan of wrestling and knowing the story that came after this movie definitely helped with the enjoyment but I think this movie possessed such a storyline that anyone who doesn't know the ins and outs may want to go away and follow up on the rest. As each hit came from the movie, I found myself getting more and more invested. Smiling as she got confirmed to be on raw and even getting goosebumps. They had changed the end a little as she was already a champ in NXT and didn't shy away from the mic like the ending to this movie but it worked much better for the storyline to have her be more confident and address the misfits after she held the title. The acting is this was very good and an almost complete cast. Vaughn as a drill sergeant, just like in Hacksaw Ridge, was a very good role for him. The comedy came from Frost and Headey, which took away from the rest of the seriousness within the story but they could switch to such just as easy. Florence Pugh gave us a great account of a troubled girl, torn between what life choice to make and struggling with the journey she was on. This is the first time I have seen her on the big screen and I very much doubt it will be the last. This may be a movie that will go under the radar in a lot of circles but believe me, give it a chance even if you're not into wrestling, mainly because the story and a true story at that, is a mix of emotions and brilliant watch. It truly is a fight with her family.
I absolutely loved this movie and even got around to seeing it on the big screen twice. Being a fan of wrestling and knowing the story that came after this movie definitely helped with the enjoyment but I think this movie possessed such a storyline that anyone who doesn't know the ins and outs may want to go away and follow up on the rest. As each hit came from the movie, I found myself getting more and more invested. Smiling as she got confirmed to be on raw and even getting goosebumps. They had changed the end a little as she was already a champ in NXT and didn't shy away from the mic like the ending to this movie but it worked much better for the storyline to have her be more confident and address the misfits after she held the title. The acting is this was very good and an almost complete cast. Vaughn as a drill sergeant, just like in Hacksaw Ridge, was a very good role for him. The comedy came from Frost and Headey, which took away from the rest of the seriousness within the story but they could switch to such just as easy. Florence Pugh gave us a great account of a troubled girl, torn between what life choice to make and struggling with the journey she was on. This is the first time I have seen her on the big screen and I very much doubt it will be the last. This may be a movie that will go under the radar in a lot of circles but believe me, give it a chance even if you're not into wrestling, mainly because the story and a true story at that, is a mix of emotions and brilliant watch. It truly is a fight with her family.
No comments:
Post a Comment