I added this film to my backlog on a whim, having seen that it had earned positive reviews. Truth be told, that was the only reason I gave it a shot. I have never seen a WWE match, nor do I have any positive feelings related to that media. Seeing that this was a family comedy with the Rock didn't give me much hope either. But hey, it pays off to try something new every once in a while, and this was certainly worth the watch!
"Fighting With My Family" follows the true story of English professional wrestler Paige, with liberties taken there of course. I will actually use point this as one of my criticisms of the film. Practically no time is devoted to Paige's growth as a professional wrestler, the film only focuses on her overcoming her insecurities and all of a sudden becoming a WWE champion. I had to look it up, and sure enough, they rushed through what was her actual career growth. It's quite noticeable in the film itself, which is why I am mentioning it. Otherwise, as an outsider to this sphere, I had few issues with it. The actual wrestling was even more exaggerated than the real thing, but it was entertaining to watch.
What really sells the movie is its comedy and the family themes. I don't think anyone would expect a WWE film to be a candidate for high-brow comedy, but that doesn't mean the jokes here aren't funny. A lot of them work thanks to great comedic timing and performances. It's vulgar, and succeeds at it. One also has to appreciate the film's heart, as you really feel the connection between Paige and her family. Zak, her brother, brought some much needed contrast to her character and added a more realistic complexity to the story. As such, the actual wrestling serves more as a backdrop for these characters to interact.
Vince Vaughn takes on the completely fictional role of Hutch Morgan, a recruiter and coach that serves to drive the plot and Paige's development further. His role took on that classic trope of a hateable character with a golden heart. I can't lie, it worked. There's plenty of cliches in the film, but they work well in the context, and that's what really matters in the end.
All in all, I found "Fighting With My Family" to be pretty fun. It's in no way mind-blowing, but it's a solid piece of entertainment that I can recommend to anyone who just wants to enjoy a funny rags-to-riches story.
Stephen Marchant longtime collaborator with one Mr. Ricky Gervais has also carved a nice niche for himself in solo projects on TV and film. Here he tries his hand at feature-film directing and writing and it has to be said he appears to have learned a great deal from his years in the business and applied it.
He has crafted a film, that on paper would only appeal to dedicated fans to pro-wrestling, but skilfully and artfully made it a film about something else whilst not losing the focus on the wrestling. With a great cast, I even enjoyed the much-maligned Vince Vaughn who for some reason has become a bit of hate-figure recently, he is ably assisted in this funny and entertaining story of love, family, pursuing your dreams and redemption.
No doubt Mr. Merchant was helped no end by the quite fantastic Florence Pugh and Jack Lowden who are wholly believable as brother and sister. Throw into the mix Nick Frost playing a part of a real person who was seemingly made for him to play and Leana Headly throwing off her Cersei mantel with some ease as the determined family lynch-pin Julia and frankly, even with a poor script and story, you would still get something watchable. With a great script and mostly true story you are onto a winner. Fighting With My Family is undoubtedly a winner.
Bringing in all of this under two hours and you have a fun, interesting and entertaining film. Through in 'The Rock' with his charisma and worldwide recognition and you are going to the championship belt with some ease.
If the film lags or loses momentum anywhere it is that part were you can almost see the fingerprints of the WWE, throughout the film is made clear the Saraya/Paige and her family run scripted wrestling events, yes I know people get genuinely hurt in these and they are difficult and athletic but they are scripted and staged, once we get into the world of the WWE, the apex of the families dreams, there is the implication that the bouts are spontaneous. This is nonsense there has been a court case where it has to be admitted, it does not harm the product and it is still as fun. It's a shame this part could not be as adult as the rest of the film.
Fighting With My Family is a good old underdog fights their way to the top, learns a lot about their family and life in the process and wins against all odds as an added bonus it is 90% a true story.
In all honesty just over 90 minutes with Saraya and her family is as pleasant a way to spend some spare time you have.
Review by Paladin5150BlockedParent2019-07-04T01:19:51Z— updated 2019-08-29T00:23:57Z
Even though this film has Nick Frost, Lena Headly, and yes, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, I wasn't expecting much more than a bit of amusing viewing to while away an evening. Well, "Frack me dead and bury me pregnant", as the females in the Knight family are prone to exclaim, if this didn't turn out to be a hidden gem of a movie. (shoulda' known with the caliber of the actors) Florence Pugh does a fantastic job as the future, real life, WWE Diva "Paige", who gets her shot to go from a D League family wrestling hustle, to the big time, thanks to having actual skills rather than just "boobs and a nice butt" to shake at the male fans. The thing that makes it all the more amazing, is, the whole thing is true. I didn't think a wrestling movie would cause me to reach for the Kleenex, but yeah, the story is that inspiring, and may just get you in the feels too.
Some heart rending moments as her brother, who tried out with her, but didn't have "it" struggles with what one is to do when your dream has been absconded with by someone you're close to, even if deep inside you know they did nothing wrong. Hilarious "Meet the family" moment as Zak introduces his pregnant girlfriends parents to his tribe, and to pro(ish) wrestling, British style.
There's even some sage advice from Vince Vaughn, and The Rock, as he tells the eventual WWE Diva "Don't try to be the next ME, be the first YOU! Yeah baby, I can totally SMELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, what this movies cookin'!