Michael's Movie Grade: C
A technically well-made but emotionally distant film.
On paper it seems like this movie about professional fighter Mark Kerr should be your average sports film. However, anyone who has seen the previous films of writer/director Benjamin Safdie, knows that he is not about to deliver such a conventional film. In fact, with this movie, he seems dead set to get as to not fall into any of the typical trappings of sports movies. On a technical level he is quite successful. This movie has a documentary style of filmmaking that works perfectly. Thematically it strips away any of the glitz and glamor attached to the sport and instead focuses in on the brutality and senselessness of two grown adults beating the crap out of each other. This makes for a film that seems real and honest without a hint of superficiality. The documentary style of filmmaking also helps this seem unique among the many different sports movies out there.
However, this movie's major failing is in characterization. I never once felt like I knew who any of these characters actually were. For the most part they are completely devoid of personality. The brief little glimpses we get of what these characters' personalities are makes them seem completely unlikable and selfish. There is not one reason to care about them or what happens to them. This creates an emotionally empty movie. Critics have been praising Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt's performances here but there is only so much they can do with the lack of material they are given.
On a technical level this is a very well-made movie, but it is held back greatly by not giving the audience any reason for an emotional connection.
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