Girlfight (2000)

Punches Like A Girl

- A girl fights in this film, written and directed by one of the worst filmmakers currently in the business, Karyn Kusama, and that's about it. Sure Diana Guzman (played by Michelle Rodriguez) also finds something she loves in boxing, a sport dominated by males; gets involved with a man; and struggles with school and her family - but the story is nothing special. Just about everything associated with the film is worthless.

Firstly, the acting horrible. Jaime Tirelli fairs the best but literally every other member of the entire cast gives a very weak performance - you know, the kind of performances that make you roll your eyes and ask "that's all the energy you could muster up for that line?"

Secondly, the writing is bad. If all of the heavy-handed, clichéd and sappy dialogue was not bad enough, the story is boring too; nothing important happens between the first 15 minutes and the last 15 minutes - all Diana does is train and get mad. Also, the characters are not likable in the least; no one seems to break out of their selfish ways, learn anything or develop at all.

Finally, everything that makes up the all-important visuals - lighting, coloring, production design - are huge letdowns. I get it: boxing is a grimy business of punching the stuffing out of Everlast bags and punching the lights out of your opponent. But why can other boxing films like Rocky (1976), Raging Bull (1980) and The Set-Up (1949) be gritty and stylish at the same time while all Girlfight can do is look cheap and unpleasant?

Tap out of seeing this one if you can.


CBC Rating: 3/10