CHRISTY

US, 2025, 135 minutes, Colour.

Sydney Sweeney, Ben Foster, Katie O'Brien, Merritt Wever, Chad E. Coleman, Colman Pedigo, Ethan Embry, Jess Gabor, Bryan Hibbard.

Directed by David Michod.

Who is Christy? This would certainly have been an unanswerable question in 1989 when this film opens. But, during the 90s and into the2000s, Christy Martin became very well-known as a/the top female boxer in the US. And, this is her story.

The film is also a star vehicle for Sydney Sweeney (very successful in recent years in such films as Anyone But You, Immaculate, The Housemaid). This is her story from 1989 to 2010, something of a rags to riches tale but much more in terms of American sport as well as Christy’s own life.

Christy Salters is the daughter of a West Virginia coalminer, a quietly sympathetic father, a somewhat haughtily dominant mother, a supportive brother. She enters a boxing competition, a bit of a smash and bash through approach and wins. But, there is tension at the family table – especially because Christy has begun a relationship with her friend, Rosie, and her mother mightily disapproves. This theme will run through Christy’s life over the coming 20 years.

But, a boxing scout has seen her, recommends her to meet a coach, Jim Martin, who initially is offhandedly interested  until he sees her potential talent, agreeing to coach, gradually taking possession of her career, of her life, proposing that they marry and work as a team, her agreeing despite herself.

Jim Martin is played by the talented Ben Foster, whose extensive career contains a number of screen villains, this one initially restrained but enthusiastic even as he trains her, finds fights for her, relishes her success – but, as with so many such stories, his wife’s abilities shine and he is forced to move more into the background with some devastating results.

But, the 1990s did not have a great number of female boxers. Christy is brought to the attention of entrepreneur Don King who takes her on, has her fight on television pay per view bouts.

As expected, there are many training sequences, fights, Christy becoming more and more confident, aggressive, boastful and challenging at press conferences, female boxers becoming more and more accepted, she becoming a national champion. In 2003, she has to fight Laila Ali, the daughter of Muhammed Ali, a crisis point in her career.

Sydney Sweeney is able to communicate the character, the pugnacious abilities, the talent for professional boxing.

In the final dramatic sequences of the film, 2010, there are huge crises in the relationship between Christy and Jim Martin, a violent atmosphere, her making contact again with her friend Rosie, the relationship issues arising, and no sympathy from her mother who idolises Jim Martin.

Which means that the latter part of the film is unexpectedly highly dramatic, challenging.

And, as with films based on actual characters, there is further information about Christy’s life after these events and some photos of the actual Christy Salters.

1. Based on a true story? The world of boxing? Female boxers? The 1990s and the 2000s?
2. Re-creation of the period, West Virginia, mining country, towns, homes? The contrast with the world of boxing, the various tournaments, venues, stadiums, theatres, gyms, offices? The transition to Florida, homes, affluence? Hospitals?
3. The story of Christy, the opening, her place in the family, her relationship with Rosie, the attitudes towards lesbians, her relationship with Rosie? Her mother’s disapproval? The discussion about seeing a priest to set it right? The quiet father, the supportive brother? The silence of the table, the mother’s dominance?
4. Christy seen at the fight, the knockout, her success, the money? Observers, seeing possibilities?
5. The screenplay and taking key periods in Christy’s life, 1989 and the beginnings, 1995 success, 2003 crises and challenges, 2010 and the attempt on her life? The audience filling in the times in between?
6. Her being scouted, to the gym, the first encounter with Jim, his disregard, forced to observe her, looking down on her, see her skills, his decision? Christy and her age, decisions, leaving home, enjoying her skills? The difficulty of the relationship with Rosie, disapproval of lesbians out of the closet?
7. Christy and the details of her training, persistent, her skills, Jim training her, the others observing, helping her, Jeff and his sympathy?
8. Jim, his personality, moving in with Christy, coaching her, his techniques, the personal regard, the proposal, her agreeing? Together, at home?
9. Getting the fights, her tough attitudes, victories? The effect on her?
10. The plan to meet Don King, his reputation, personality, Jim and his being put in his place, Don King and his response, the contracts, control, his associates, the buildup to her fights, pay-per-view, the opponents? The press conferences and her being forthright? Her nervousness, the buildup to the first part, Jim and his support? The opponent, the challenge, her victory? Her reputation?
11. Her success, the role of Jim, his being put in the background, difficult times, the tension of the relationship? The buildup to the bout with the daughter of Muhammed Ali?
12. The background of the fight with Lisa, Lisa and her personality, Jim getting her to train with Christy? Christy’s initial reactions? The time together, Lisa genuine? The impact for Christy? The buildup to the fight, the fight itself, her defeat? Being told off by Don King?
13. Time passing, her success, controlled by Jim, concealing facts, not organising fights? The meetings with Rosie, Rosie and her support? The family, the continually going to the fights, the father’s pride, the support of the brother, the mother and her problems, being charmed by Jim?
14. Christy, Jim and his personality, resentments, his brutal treatment at times, punching her, threatening to kill her? Talk with Rosie, her moving home, no support from her mother?
15. Her return, the confrontation with Jim, his knife, stabbing her, on the floor, his shooting her, having the shower, her getting herself up, the car taking her to the hospital, the treatment, her recuperation?
16. The aftermath of the attempt on her life, wanting to fight again, going to the gym, the support of the people at the gym, especially Jeff and his support throughout, his warning her, helping her?
17. The gym, her being part owner, the future? The trial, facing Jim in court, her aggressive declarations? Putting it in the past?
18. The family photos, photos with Lisa, information about her career, training, marrying Lisa, her social work for abused women?