Girlfight! It's Michelle Rodriguez's first movie, and she's believably a high schooler here (though a very buff one). It's also director Karyn Kusama's first film - you'll know her better for Jennifer's Body. Together, they kind of upend the boxing movie and coming of age genres, while still providing fine examples of both. For a sports movie, it's relatively low stakes. We never leave the amateur circuit, which allows for a gender-blind program to pit Diana (Rodriguez) against men as well as women, including the boy she's interested in. The actual stakes ARE high, but personal - getting out of the projects or an abusive home - and being in a relationship (of any kind) with Diana is a battle. Where it subverts the usual coming of age tropes is that no one takes Diana under their wing per se. She's the one who chooses to channel her anger in this way after getting into trouble once too often at school. She's the one who picks a coach (and I do like how he warms to her and the advice he gives, both in and out of the ring); he doesn't recruit her. It's not about seeing the potential in someone (the messianic theory), but about recognizing it in yourself and then fulfilling it. Great characters, strong drama, and those fights are well-staged and interesting too.

Good movie with a great performance from Michelle Rodriguez at its heart. The boxing scenes are impressive, but the relationship and domestic material is a lot less successful.

The unofficial prequel to Million Dollar Baby. Enjoyable watch.