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Michelle Rodriguez, Jaime Tirelli, Paul Calderon, Santiago Douglas, Ray Santiago ... see more see more... , Victor Sierra , Elisa Bocanegra , Shannon Walker Williams , Louis Guss , Herb Lovelle , Thomas Barbour , J.P. Linton , Iris Little Thomas , Dadi Pinero , Belqui Ortiz , Anthony Ruiz , Jose Rabelo , John Sayles

Karyn Kusama makes her debut with this sensitive, subtly told coming-of-age story about boxing and love. Diana (Michelle Rodriguez) is a tough though painfully honest girl living in Brooklyn. Surly, f... read more read more...rustrated, and directionless, Diana seems to have a ticket on the express train to expulsion; she repeatedly finds herself in detention and schoolyard fights. At home, her weak though abusive single father Sandro (Paul Calderon) clearly favorites her bookish brother Tiny (Ray Santiago) over her. While running an errand for her father, Diana finds herself in one of New York's more renowned boxing gyms, and she instantly connects to the same. Though traditionally a thoroughly male pastime in Latino culture, Diana perseveres and gains self-worth thanks to the help of gruff Panamanian trainer Hector (Jaime Tirelli). Soon Hector assumes the role of Diana's father from her deadbeat biological progenitor. As Diana gains physical strength and agility in the ring, she finds herself drawn to the dashing boxer Adrian (Santiago Douglas), who is supposedly involved with someone else. Slowly though, the two give into their mutual attraction and fall completely in love. Fate intervenes when the two lovers are scheduled to fight one another in the ring, forcing each to choose boxing or love. Executive-produced by none other than John Sayles, this film received rave reviews at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

Flixster Users

72% liked it

10,932 ratings

Critics

88% liked it

92 critics

R, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: Karyn Kusama

Release Date: September 29, 2000

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DVD Release Date: March 27, 2001

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Stats: 517 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (517)

  • itsjustme2004
    May 15, 2012
    itsjustme2004
    The acting in this was decent, and the characters were somewhat believable. I don't think the idea of her being a boxer was taken far enough, however. The fights seemed unrealistic. Not bad..not great..
  • lesleyanorton
    August 31, 2009
    lesleyanorton
    Michelle Rodriguez first film. Good to see a girl throw a punch every now and again.
  • threefolddado
    December 10, 2010
    threefolddado
    Michelle Rodriguez gives a star-making performance in her very first film, where characters and believable situations lead to real human drama. Tight script and direction from Kusama add up to a gripping film that sucks you in. Indie film at its best.
  • RemiLogan
    April 29, 2009
    RemiLogan
    I think this was just an excuse for Michelle Rodriguez to show how bad-ass she is. Mission accomplished =p
  • ileo
    December 16, 2007
    ileo
    Great film! Love it!
  • undeadfeature
    January 18, 2010
    undeadfeature
    A movie with surprising depth and clarity. With intense shots and quick cutting, this is a must-see for Rodriguez fans (such as myself). She simply deserves more work like this. For a first performance it is astounding. Michelle is tough, crass, and lovable all at once. I just ke... read moreep going back to the opening shot with that amazing glare she does so well burning into you. The character is solid, the dynamics are solid, damn near everything is. If I had a gripe? Maybe some change up in the boxing cinematography. Some "oomph" would have netted some points. But a part from that even the most discerning cinephile should find something to enjoy here. It beckons to be rewatched because, like any good story, there are themes prevalent throughout. A great find. I feel foolish for not having seen it sooner.
  • ristrawn
    August 27, 2009
    ristrawn
    great about proving the naysayers wrong... yippee yeah to girl power & determination... Michelle Rodriguez was fantastic & very young...
  • wataki2
    August 8, 2009
    wataki2
    I really liked this movie a lot and was surprised when i watched this joint on lifetime one sunday(hahahaha)....
  • AndySitzerFan
    May 5, 2008
    AndySitzerFan
    I've seen M-Rods movies but I hadn't gotten around to watching her very first movie til now. She won the role in an open audition, and hasn't look back since.
    But after seeing it, I feel like I can hear every director that has worked with her since giving her the same direction ... read moreover and over...."Um Michelle, great scene, do you think you could, uh, give me more 'girlfight'? That would be perfect. Just the anger and the eyes..."
    I feel like every performance of hers since then has some similarity to this one. Not that its a bad thing, she definitely did everything one is expected to and more in their first outing as an actor.
    The movie itself was okay. Nothing special. I enjoyed most of the characters, some were more cardboard than others. I especially enjoyed the role of the trainer, Hector. His performance was very heartwarming and I felt like he could really train anyone as a boxer, haha.
  • vincentstjohn
    April 4, 2008
    vincentstjohn
    Before she was known as the drunk driving actress sitting in a Hawaii jail, and as the woman who killed my belove Shannon on LOST, Michelle Rodriguez starred in Girlfight. It's disturbing at times, but overall a very good movie.

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Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel
August 1, 2008
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

It gives its fine actors room to breathe and behave -- and in Michelle Rodriguez's case, glow. Full Review

Andrew Sarris
April 27, 2007
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

For once, the advance buzz has been amply justified, thanks to an extraordinarily charismatic film debut by a non-professional named Michelle Rodriguez. Full Review

Matt Wolf
March 26, 2007
Matt Wolf, Associated Press

For all the violence on view, Kusama's script insists on a real, wholly unsentimental tenderness. Full Review

Louis B. Parks
July 21, 2005
Louis B. Parks, Houston Chronicle

It's obvious Kusama knew what she wanted and was in control, because all the key roles and scenes are played with a uniform tone and conviction. Full Review

Peter Howell
June 18, 2002
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

While it wonderfully confounds our narrative expectations as a coming-of-age story and a romantic drama, it works on another level as a great sporting experience. Full Review

Rick Groen
March 19, 2002
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

The script is pure Rocky but the style is Girlz n' the Hood, and the two don't ever mesh. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 8, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Rodriguez smolders with the beauty and intensity of a born star, and Kusama keeps her fearlessly on her feet with a movie that ducks no punches.

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

This is On the Waterfront by way of Flashdance but without the cheesy conceits. Full Review

Steve Murray
January 1, 2000
Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A crowdpleaser that never sacrifices its brain to the sucker-punch tricks of so many Hollywood films. Full Review

J. Hoberman
January 1, 2000
J. Hoberman, Village Voice

A near-irresistible button-pusher that's agile enough to hold a mirror to its own aspirations. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Hector: Inside you know yourself?
    • Diana: I do.
    • Hector: Then that's all you need.
    • Adrian: No, you're sweet.
    • Diana: Sweet? That's funny. I've always thought of myself as salty.
    • Adrian: I'm gonna turn pro and I'm gonna move far away from here. Someplace where I'm not gonna get killed doing my laundry.
    • Diana: All these years, you just looked right through me.
    • Adrian: (to Diana) My life with you is war.
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Girlfight Trivia

  • Which fast and furious actress starred in Girlfight?  Answer »
  • She was born July 12 1978 in Bexar County,Texas. She's known for tough-chick roles. She has starred in the movies Girlfight and S.W.A.T. Who is she?  Answer »
  • What 2000 movie, did Michelle Rodriguez play a boxer?  Answer »
  • For what movie did Karyn Kusama win Best Directing Award, by the 2000 Sundance Film Festival  Answer »
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