What ‘The Fire Inside’ Gets Right About the True Story

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  • How Accurate is ‘The Fire Inside’ to Shields’ Story?

As a cinephile with a keen eye for biopics and sports dramas, I must say that ‘The Fire Inside’ has left me utterly captivated and inspired. Rachel Morrison’s directorial debut is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and the indomitable human spirit – much like its protagonist, Claressa Shields herself.

As the holiday season winds down, I find myself brimming with excitement at the prospect of returning to the cinematic realm. An unprecedented array of intriguing films awaits me! “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” has left me pleasantly surprised and stands as the best in its series. Robert Eggers’ horror mastery continues with the chilling “Nosferatu,” while the Bob Dylan biopic, “A Complete Unknown,” is a solid and captivating portrayal of an American legend. And who could resist another viewing of the enchanting musical tale, “Wicked”?

Among the pleasant surprises was the movie titled “The Fire Inside”, directed by Rachel Morrison who is known for her work as cinematographer on “Black Panther”. This film is based on the true tale of Claressa Shields, a determined high-school boxer aiming for Olympic glory. With the guidance of trainer Jason Crutchfield (portrayed by Brian Tyree Henry), she makes history as the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. Although it follows the familiar pattern of sports biopics, it does so with style and finesse, making it a heartwarming rather than manipulative watch. It’s one of the month’s top-reviewed films, but how closely does it mirror the real life story of Claressa Shields?

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Who Is Claressa Shields in ‘The Fire Inside?’

According to “The Fire Inside”, Claressa Shields hails from Flint, Michigan, and grew up in a challenging domestic environment. Her mother struggled with alcoholism, while her father was behind bars, and she endured abuse at a tender age. Boxing caught her attention early on as it provided an outlet for her pent-up emotions.

In 2012, when Shields was 17 and a junior in high school, she participated in the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships held in China. Her dream was to secure a place at the Olympics in London. Although she was defeated by Savannah Marshall, a British boxer, in the second round, she managed to accumulate enough points to qualify as one of the top eight competitors. Later, Shields fought against Russian Nadezda Torlopova in the finals held in London and emerged triumphant, earning the gold medal.

In an unexpected twist on the sports genre, the win takes place two-thirds into the movie. The remaining third of the film provides an accurate portrayal of Shields’ life post-victory. She came back to Flint without any endorsements because potential sponsors thought women’s boxing wouldn’t generate profit. Furthermore, her blunt demeanor in interviews, particularly where she admitted to enjoying fighting people, deterred many supporters.

Shields found herself in a state of deep sadness and considered quitting boxing altogether. Yet, she eventually changed her mind and started preparing for the 2016 Olympics instead. Although the film primarily uses archival footage to summarize this part of her story at the end, it explains how Shields managed to win another gold medal, making history as the first American boxer, either male or female, to achieve two consecutive Olympic victories.

How Accurate is ‘The Fire Inside’ to Shields’ Story?

Claressa Shields played a significant role as an executive producer in the movie “The Fire Inside“, which gave her a lot of creative control over the story. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, she shared, “I had a lengthy conversation with Barry Jenkins before he penned the script. I allowed him to express his initial thoughts about my story first. Once he finished, I replied, ‘You hit a few important points, but this is what I want to convey, what I want them to grasp about me.’ A few months later, when he sent me the script, it perfectly captured my real-life experiences.” Consequently, most of the film accurately reflects Shields’ true life experiences.

As a dedicated cinephile, I must say that the movie nails Shields’ personal life with striking accuracy, portraying her tumultuous family dynamics without flinching. From the debilitating alcoholism of her mother to the emotional distance she experienced after her father’s nine-year prison sentence, the film does not shy away from the raw truth.

This documentary, The Fire Inside, effectively highlights Shields’ significant influence on the sport of boxing. For quite some time, women’s boxing was generally perceived as a novelty, but Shields has been an ardent proponent for fair compensation for her fellow athletes since her initial Olympic victory. However, directors Rachel Morrison and Barry Jenkins occasionally deviated from strict accuracy to create a captivating film. A notable departure concerns Shields’ relentless pursuit of gold in 2012 and the backing she received from her team. In reality, many of her supporters had doubts about her chances following her narrow qualification in China, and Shields herself was uncertain about winning the gold medal.

In addition, a pivotal moment towards the end of the movie was specifically crafted for the film. Following the 2012 Olympics, Shields contemplated parting ways with her medal, but the movie presents her trying to sell it to help her family financially. The broker discreetly contacts her mother, who persuades her against the sale. Although there were minor alterations, The Fire Inside remains truthful to the essence of Claressa Shields’ tale, highlighting her historic achievements in and out of the ring, as well as her ongoing career success. Currently showing in theaters: The Fire Inside.

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2024-12-28 02:01