‘Christy’: Ferocious and Tragic Sydney Sweeney Project

 

Sydney Sweeney as former professional boxer Christy Salters in the film ‘Christy.’ Courtesy of Black Bear Pictures.

In a combination of ‘Rocky’ and ‘Fighting with my Family,’ Sydney Sweeney lead the way in ‘Christy’, a biopic about female former professional boxer Christy Salters. I really liked Sweeney’s performance as Christy when she empowered herself in and out of the ring. I also liked the scoring and cinematography, specifically during the fighting.

The film started off with Salters’ boxing career taking off as she finished high school in the late 80s. Her brother seemed to be the only one who supported her, until she proved herself to doubtful trainer and her future husband Jim Martin, played by Ben Foster. As her career of successful knockouts went on, Christy took a turn for the worst when Jim’s paranoia and controlling behavior with her professional and home lives made her act like she was in her own psychological thriller.

Christy Salters, played by Sydney Sweeney, after winning a fight in ‘Christy.’ Courtesy of Black Bear Pictures.

When I saw the film, I didn’t even know who Salters was, and I certainly didn’t expect there’d be depictions of, spoiler alert, her husband attempting to murder her in 2010. But I guess that’s what makes this sports drama biopic stand out: showing how strong a fighter is when they’re not in front of the cameras, in this case, with domestic violence. In the end, Christy proved she deserved happiness in the ring and with her future wife Lisa Holewyne, played by Katy O’Brian.

I loved Sweeney’s performance. Though stunt double Sarah Irwin must’ve done the most work for the fight scenes, Sweeney herself poured her heart in getting physical. She also poured heart into overcoming the trauma from Foster’s character, along with the harsh financial treatment from Don King, played by Chad L. Coleman, and homophobia from her mother Joyce, played by Merritt Wever.

I liked the camera focus on Salters’ dealing with nosebleeds and trembling with emotions over handling her personal life. I also liked the opera, violin, and piano accompanying said emotions or the occasional hopeful parts.

I give ‘Christy’ an 8/10. I’d prefer a different ending where we saw if Salters won her first fight after recovering from Martin’s murder attempt, and maybe see her and her mother reconcile. That aside, Sweeney gave a great, heartfelt performance, and thanks to the rest of the cast and crew for all their hard work.

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