At the Movies with Fatwayne

You might think that a movie titled FIGHTING would be very gory and violent. The fact is that it is violent anytime two men face off and try to beat each other unconscious or worse. So this is indeed a violent movie but to my relief, it is not gory. How could it be with a PG13 rating? Realistically, if the fighters depicted in this film were actually hitting each other there would be broken bones, cuts and probably even deaths. This is realism that I can do without. Like reading a book, your imagination can suffice rather than being forced to endure the alternative.

Shawn MacArthur (Channing Tatum) is a small town guy trying to make a go of it in New York. He doesn’t have a lot going for him except  his likable personality and his considerable ability to defend himself. He works selling various goods on the street. One day he is robbed by street thugs and is forced to settle things physically. This does not go unnoticed by Harvey Boarden (Terrance Howard) who is a street hustler himself with past ties to the underground fight scene.

Harvey wants to recruit Shawn to fight and to become his promoter and manager. Harvey says “you like to fight?” to which Shawn replies “if I have to”. Harvey counters with “I can make you $5,000. Got you interested, huh?”

Thus a partnership is formed! Like all relationships, there are bumpy roads to endure but our two partners are good guys at heart and manage to even out the bumps.

As Shawn adds to his success with victories in his fighting bouts, he becomes more sought after and eventually makes the “big times”. Along the way his meets hustlers, loan sharks and seedy characters of all types. One person he meets, however, is a woman named Zulay Valez  (Zulay Henao) who captures his heart at first sight. She is a waitress at a local club supporting a young daughter and an elderly grandmother. At first she shuns all attempts by Shawn to court her but his persistence eventually pays off. This is a good thing for us as viewers since this is one of the most enjoyable aspects of this movie.

Shawn gets to meet Zulay’s family and what a meeting it is! It’s surprising that he doesn’t throw in the towel and run for his life. Here is where we really get a feel for Shawn’s character and realize what a good person he is. Zulay is also very kind and likable although she has some secrets that she keeps from Shawn which almost causes their relationship to end.

Channing Tatum comes over very well as the rube, Shawn. Terrence Howard also does a great job as the ex-fighter/now hustler, Harvey. The supporting cast can also be proud of their acting as they present us with some lovable and not so lovable characters who populate Shawn’s existence.

We are also exposed to the seedy side of the Big Apple and Brooklyn. If this were my only exposure to that great city, I think I would stay home. Fortunately for me, I have had the pleasure to visit several times and can recommend it to you!

Quotes from the movie are at http://www.tvmoviequotes.com/fighting.htm

Rating – PG13 -

Fatwayne’s rating  –  -