The story of Flint Olympian Claressa “T-Rex” Shields comes to life in *The Fire Inside*, marking the feature-length directorial debut of *Black Panther* cinematographer Rachel Morrison. Penned by *Moonlight*’s Barry Jenkins, this boxing drama starts by following the recognizable tropes of a conventional sports biopic but soon ventures into unforeseen realms. However, despite its aspirations, the film frequently appears limited and clumsy, stopping it from genuinely achieving its full potential.
### A Promising Narrative with Inconsistent Delivery
The film showcases exceptional performances from *Grown-ish* star Ryan Destiny as the tenacious Shields and Brian Tyree Henry as her devoted coach, Jason Crutchfield. Both actors infuse richness and intensity into their characters, developing intricate, captivating roles whose dynamic remains intriguing throughout. Yet, the film’s structural issues and lack of unity undermine its effectiveness. Ironically, this discord reflects the tale it narrates — a narrative of hardship and resilience that doesn’t entirely fulfill its ambitions.
### What Is *The Fire Inside* About?
Formerly known as *Flint Strong*, the film serves as much as a depiction of Shields’ Michigan birthplace as it does of the boxer herself. Few sports films, apart from the legendary *Rocky*, have so masterfully illustrated the connection between an individual and their surroundings. Shield’s journey is deeply connected to Flint, a city struggling with financial difficulties long before its water crisis gained national attention in 2014. The narrative unfolds in the lead-up to the 2012 Olympics, showcasing a community already facing decline.
The film begins with a young, determined Shields seeking to join Crutchfield’s all-boys boxing gym. Initially hesitant, Crutchfield changes his stance after some insightful advice from his strong-willed wife, Mickey (De’Adre Aziza). As time progresses, Crutchfield becomes Shields’ steadfast ally, often at significant personal sacrifice. For Shields, whose father is imprisoned and whose mother Jackie (Olunike Adeliyi) is emotionally distant, Crutchfield’s guidance becomes a substitute for parental mentorship.
As Shields ascends through national and international competitions, the pair confront challenges beyond the boxing ring. Shields must maneuver through the complexities of the sports industry, facing racial prejudice and societal norms regarding femininity. Her achievements transcend boxing, challenging stereotypes and breaking barriers. Nevertheless, the film also explores the ongoing struggles Shields encounters in Flint, even after achieving athletic success.
### A Distinct Structure That Differentiates It
Unlike most sports films that climax in an athlete’s early triumphs, *The Fire Inside* adopts a unique angle. Its latter half shifts attention to the pressures encountered by American sportswomen, particularly Black women, who frequently lack the support systems available to their white or male equivalents. This storytelling choice transforms the film into a wider sociocultural examination, compelling its characters to undergo significant development.
However, despite the ambition of this structure, the film grapples to provide gratifying dramatic resolutions. Even with a solid foundation, the multitude of storylines seldom converge into a unified narrative. The outcome is a film filled with moments of brilliance that never fully come to life.
### A Visually Impressive Yet Emotionally Lacking Experience
As a director, Morrison applies her sharp visual perception to the film, developed through her experience on *Fruitvale Station* and *Mudbound*. Collaborating with cinematographer Rina Yang, she establishes a vivid atmosphere, feeling, and motion in every shot. The boxing sequences are especially well-executed, capturing the sport’s physicality and rhythm with clarity and force.
Nonetheless, despite these strengths, the film often lacks emotional resonance. Its scenes create suspense but seldom deliver the release they promise. Whether aiming for happiness, sadness, or victory, the film’s pivotal moments feel subdued, leaving viewers with a sensation of deflation. This absence of emotional resolution detracts from the otherwise compelling performances and visuals.
### Outstanding Performances That Eclipse the Film
The true highlight of *The Fire Inside* resides in its extraordinary performances. Ryan Destiny portrays Shields with fearless physicality, illustrating a young woman continuously at odds with her surroundings — and with herself. Shields’ strength is both her greatest asset and a source of weakness, as she navigates the competing pressures of sponsorship, media attention, and her personal growth. Destiny skillfully captures these subtleties, blending Shields’ toughness with moments of youthful enthusiasm, especially in her developing romance with a fellow Flint boxer.
Brian Tyree Henry delivers yet another exceptional performance as Crutchfield, a man wrestling with his own constraints while pouring his energy into Shields’ achievements. Henry’s characterization is nuanced and introspective, revealing Crutchfield’s internal conflicts as he reconciles societal expectations of masculinity with his mentorship role and surrogate fatherhood. The film hints at, but does not fully delve into, the emotional intricacies of Crutchfield’s relationship with his daughter, who is away.