Tag: Humor

“Fighting With My Family” is the sports movie that brings Professional Wrestling out into the public view. It brings it to a level like “Rocky” would do for boxing. Set up a lovable underdog character who does not have a chance and give that lower middle-class schlub the opportunity to get in the ring and go against the greatest. Oh, and also make this ‘Rocky’ a young woman from England who has been doing this professionally with her family since she was sixteen. Instead of being a fictional story, base this ‘Rocky’ on a true story… the story of WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) Champion Wrestler Paige.

In Norwich England, a small family is getting by with Professional Wrestling as the family business. The dad “Rowdy Ricky” (Nick Frost) and the mum “Sweet Saraya” (Lena Headey) get by with their three kids by running a wrestling association. The oldest boy is in prison, but still at home are Zak (Jack Lowden) and the youngest Jade (Florence Pugh). They kids are born showmen, and wrestling is in their blood. Zak and Jade get a chance for an audition for a WWE tryout in London. They happen to meet a retired wrestler named The Rock (Dwayne Johnson). He gives them this advice: “Don’t be another me – be the first YOU”. The tryouts are completed and there is Coach Hutch (Vince Vaughn) who selects the one who can come to America and train. It is going to be Jade, and she will go under the name of ‘Paige’.

Their parents are ecstatic about her new opportunity. Zak is less happy, because he was not selected. He and his girlfriend are about to have a baby, and he is falling into a depressive state. But ‘Paige’ finds out the WWE development league is a tough nut to crack. There are many other people in the up-and-coming training group. Many are very attractive women, ex-models and cheerleaders. Paige feels out of her element. The workouts are super tough, and she is making no friends anywhere. The competition level is high, and somebody could get cut at any moment. Paige feels that her brother Zak would be the only who knows how she feels, he is not taking her calls.

But after a trip back home over the holidays, Paige feels like giving up on her dream. But she decides to make one more go-for-broke attempt to pull off the impossible. She is back in the States, and she works so hard that she even impresses Coach Hutch. The other women on the squad see that Paige has the internal spirit to pull out a big surprise. They all head over to a big WWE Smackdown event and Paige once more runs into The Rock. He knows that she is ready for Prime-Time Event. Paige is shocked, but she is put on the roster to go up against the reigning Woman’s Diva Champion. Paige has a Golden Ticket, a chance to grab the Brass Ring and a way to make to the very top. What will happen next…

The WWE organization has made a very good choice by getting this movie put together. Instead of the typical idea of WWE as a male-dominated (and therefore a sweaty, grunting wild-eyed Wolf Pack of 260 lb. dudes dressed in leotards) it presents a really different face. The unlikely rise of Paige as a Professional Wrestler is a unique story. And the way that is gets told on-screen is a funny and heart-warming depiction of her success. For the movie to work, it needed someone special to play Paige.

Florence Pugh is just the right person for that role. She is tough and gritty, and with a Goth fashion sense, she gets attention. But her portrayal is also of a young girl who has self-doubts and thinks she is in over her head. Jack Lowden as her brother Zak is also right up at the top. He shows a gruff and all-business exterior, but you know he is broken up inside when he is not picked in the tryouts. Also, Lena Headey & Nick Frost are fun to watch as the mum and dad who might not be welcome at a school Parent’s Night.

“Fighting With My Family” is a fun and fast-paced movie that puts you into a headlock at the very start, and does not let up until you are pinned to mat with enjoyment.