Fighting With My Family Review

The sports comedy Fighting With My Family tells the true of Saraya “Paige” Bevis who went from wrestling in regional promotes in England to becoming a WWE star.

Saraya Knight (Florence Pugh) was an outcast who grows to love the family’s tradition of wrestling and becomes a part of the family business. Saraya and her brother, Zak (Jack Lowden) are asked to audition for the WWE in London, but only Saraya, under the stage name Paige is selected. Saraya trains in America so she can fulfil her dream whilst Zak falls into a deep depression now his dream is over.

Fighting With My Family was promoted heavily as a comedy but it’s really more dramatic than expected. Fighting With My Family starts off incredibly funny and the third had a triumph, Rocky-style note, yet the second arc was when the film focused on the brother and sister’s isolation and depression. Stephen Merchant wrote and directed the film, making it the first film he directed solo. He was the co-creator of The Office and Extras and arguably the true brains behind those shows because Ricky Gervais’ solo work is bogged down by cruel humour and mawkishness.

Merchant uses a standard sports formula but it is an effective formula. There is the talent being discovered, their struggle for some reason before finding their mojo. The key to the film was the characters, the look at their dilemmas and Merchant ensured that there was sincerity in the film. Although I couldn’t help but think of South Park‘s “Montage” song during the serious training montage. It added some unintentional humour.

Fighting With My Family had a great cast, having a mix of established actors and rising stars. Nick Frost and Lena Headey were hilarious as the parents, having the funniest lines in the films. Frost is a great comedic talent and makes for a loveable figure even when he’s doing some slightly dodgy actions. It is refreshing to see Headey let her hair down and shows she has comedic ability. Vince Vaughn basically plays his role as Hutch as a drill sergeant who tests the metal of potential wrestlers. He gets to deliver some funny insults like he did in Hacksaw Ridge. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson adds a bit of American star power as he plays himself in two scenes.

Pugh and Lowden were the true stars of the film. Their roles had the most dramatic elements due to Paige feeling isolated and unsure whilst Zak becomes self-destructive. They are shown to be close and support each other since they were kids. Whilst Pugh was the star Lowden gave the best performance in the film because of his character’s descent.  Zak’s dream is shattered when he gets rejected by the WWE but at first hides his pains even though his disappointment was clear on his face. As the film progresses Zak becomes more withdrawn and self-destructive and his characterisation felt genuine. Lowden is clearly an actor to watch out for.

The WWE did help produce the film and one of the most interesting aspects was showing the behind-the-scenes work. When Paige move to America the film goes to great pains to show all the preparation and training that needed to be a professional wrestler. Wrestlers needed to be physically fit, arrange choreography, develop relationships with each other and be quick-witted. It pulls the curtains back for wrestling fans and non-fans alike.

Fighting With My Family does not reinvent the sports-comedy subgenre. It makes up for its lack of originality with its strong comedy, excellent acting and being made with passion.