Advertisement
Become a member of the Big Issue community
JOIN
Film

Fighting With My Family review – wrestling-themed sibling drama smackdown

The film's superstar producer The Rock puts in a memorable cameo, but Simon Brew say it's two rising stars who make the biggest impact in Stephen Merchant's hugely enjoyable second feature

There’s little fresh to the idea of the Rocky story, of a sporting underdog attempting to triumph against seemingly insurmountable odds. Depending on which Rocky sequel you happen to be watching at the time, they sometimes succeed too.

What’s not been done to date is the tale of a family of wrestling fanatics from Norwich, from which a teenage girl attempts to scale the heights of WWE wrestling in the US. And, as with many unlikely stories of its ilk that make it to the big screen, this particular story is based on a true story.

In Fighting With My Family, then, the terrific Florence Pugh and Jack Lowden take on the roles of the pair at the heart of the story, sister and brother Saraya ‘Paige’ and Zak ‘Zodiac’ who share a dream of being professional WWE wrestlers. They’re egged on and supported by their parents – played by Lena Headey and Nick Frost – as they look to fulfil their dreams in America.

It’s a sibling story at the heart of the tale, with life having different things in store for each of them. And as has been pointed out by the film’s writer and director – The Office co-creator Stephen Merchant – there’s quite a dark, down-to-earth gritty British drama that could be made out of the ensuing narrative. It’s not too tricky to see that.

Yet for Merchant, helming his second feature following the underappreciated coming-of-age drama Cemetery Junction (made back in 2010 alongside Ricky Gervais), a dark, gritty film is clearly the last thing he wanted to make.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Instead, backed by the not-inconsiderable physical and business heft of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Merchant is far more interested in making a funny, broad, accessible version of the brother and sister’s story, with genuine family appeal.

A dark, gritty film is clearly the last thing Merchant wanted to make

And that’s exactly what he does. What’s more, thanks to the backing of Johnson – who brought the idea of making the film to Merchant in the first place – he doesn’t have to skimp in doing so. On the one hand, then, you get the Norwich side of the story, shot in and around the area. On the other, you get an official WWE event, filmed in America, and a very funny cameo from the film’s superstar producer.

Which all gives the film something to aim for in its final act, certainly. But what’s impressive is how much heart it boasts on the way there.

Merchant’s witty film takes a few minutes to find its feet, and you’ll quickly work out the formula it’s following. Yet by injecting a familiar path with characters to really root for (in spite of their not always easy past misdemeanours), you can’t help but get sucked into it, wrestling fan or not.

Granted, if you are a wrestling devotee, you’re going to have to sit through some necessary explanations for everyone else as to just what’s going on. Yet it’s the price of aiming – successfully – for such a crowd-pleasing slice of fun in the first place. A price well, well worth paying.

★★★★☆

Fighting With My Family is in cinemas from March 1

Advertisement

Become a Big Issue member

3.8 million people in the UK live in extreme poverty. Turn your anger into action - become a Big Issue member and give us the power to take poverty to zero.

Recommended for you

View all
Joker: Folie à Deux says nothing meaningful about living with mental illness
Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck (aka Joker) and Lady Gaga as Harley ‘Lee’ Quinn in Folie à Deux
Film

Joker: Folie à Deux says nothing meaningful about living with mental illness

Actor Adam Pearson: 'I wake up every morning, let the universe kick my arse and then carry on'
Adam Pearson in A Different Man
Letter To My Younger Self

Actor Adam Pearson: 'I wake up every morning, let the universe kick my arse and then carry on'

Will Ferrell takes a crash course in trans advocacy in new Netflix doc Will & Harper
Will Ferrell and Harper Steele
Film

Will Ferrell takes a crash course in trans advocacy in new Netflix doc Will & Harper

My Old Ass review – a sweet and cathartic coming-of-ages movie with a twist
Elliott (Maisy Stella, left) with her 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza).
Film

My Old Ass review – a sweet and cathartic coming-of-ages movie with a twist

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know