Christy – Review

Christy Salters (Sweeney) explains someone told her once she fought like she was trying to destroy everyone that had done her wrong, and that she had demons in her. And maybe that was true. She wins $300 in an amateur Toughman Contest. It is 1989 and Christy lives with her family in Itmann, West Virginia. Her mother Joyce (Wever) is not thrilled with some of her life choices, but her brother Randy (Pedigo) is impressed with her boxing win.

Her parents however are unhappy with gossip around town, and that she is into girls. Oh, my lord, how can that possibly be?! Her dad Johnny (Embry) eats dinner in stern silence while her mother can barely make eye contact. A small and very religious town sometimes makes for an unforgiving group for acceptance of differences. Maybe a priest can straighten her out?

Christy likes Rosie (Gabor) though, and the girls have a much better time with each other than when the try to deal with men. One day though, Christy’s phone rings and a promoter who saw her at the Toughman Contest offers her a real fight. Maybe $500 and a overnight hotel trip to Tennessee can convince her to get into the ring again?

As Christy finds she has a natural talent of smashing peoples’ faces in, she meets trainer Jim Martin (Foster) who is very into what she offers. When the knockouts keep coming, Christy winds up looking to the world of professional boxing as a real career. Can her thunderous hands keep her afloat, or will life’s drama keep her down?

Christy did not do well at the theaters, and the internet apparently loved to dunk on the film. Did it deserve this fate? Probably not, as it is actually very well done, just too long. The pacing isn’t too bad for a real-life biopic, but its momentum still slows at multiple points throughout the runtime. Regardless, mostly the script focuses on worthy topics and big moments in the boxer’s life, and gives the actress a lot to do. There are a lot of dramatic elements in this one and large emotional ranges are covered by the actor group.

Sweeney is not the only excellent performance in this film however, as most everyone gets a chance to show off their characters inner drives. Ben Foster typically sinks into his roles, and this is no different. He is absolutely excellent as a fight trainer and ‘romantic’ interest. Her inhibited and restrictive parents also do a very good job, but Wever and Embry are seasoned actors so no surprise there.

Other than being long, Christy remains a well-produced film that dips into many types of life drama. If you like sports films, boxing films, or true-life biopics, this one fits right into the mix and it eventually covers some pretty dark territory. Truly a quality production, Christy deserves the time if you have some time to spare.