All Critics (94)
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Top Critics (30)
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Fresh (81)
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DVD (10)
It gives its fine actors room to breathe and behave -- and in Michelle Rodriguez's case, glow.
For once, the advance buzz has been amply justified, thanks to an extraordinarily charismatic film debut by a non-professional named Michelle Rodriguez.
For all the violence on view, Kusama's script insists on a real, wholly unsentimental tenderness.
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.
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.
The script is pure Rocky but the style is Girlz n' the Hood, and the two don't ever mesh.
It's a refreshingly straightforward and honest attempt, flying in the face of the rest of the product out there, which is either manipulating and dumb or tricky and arty.
Kusama's direction is imaginative, her attention to detail makes for credibility and clarity with regard to the dilemmas faced by her determined young heroine, and Rodriguez is quite astonishing in the lead role.
It's sensitive, it avoids sentimentalism, and it wins our cheers by giving us believable characters that we care about.
A moving performance by newcomer Michelle Rodriguez showcases this moody Sundance showstopper about a Brooklyn teen who battles an age-old gender barrier.
The strength of this Romeo and gym-rat story is Rodriguez's performance. She is a vivid powder keg of repressed and resurrected dreams and desires.
Like a smart boxer, Girlfight knows when to be light on its feet and when to hit hard.
A low-key, naturalistic coming-of-age drama.
First-time writer-director Karyn Kusama makes it seem believable (the big question is, how come someone with this much talent isn't getting more opportunities in Hollywood?).
One of the best films of the year.
An impressive debut, an enthralling story about an urban teen finding her place in life. And that place happens to be a boxing ring.
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