“Fighting with My Family” (PG-13)
Whether you’re a wrestling fan or not, you’ll want to dive into the ring for the new comedy drama “Fighting with My Family,” a wonderfully engaging true-life tale about how famed female wrestler Paige got her start in the WWE.
Florence Pugh stars as Saraya, an 18-year-old girl who along with her older brother, Zak (Jack Lowden) and their British working class parents, Ricky (Nick Frost) and Julia (Lena Heady), have been obsessed with professional wrestling their entire lives. Saraya and Zak are so polished in the sport, in fact, that a tape of their wrestling attracts the attention of a coach (Vince Vaughn) with the NXT, which trains potential wrestlers for a shot at the WWE.
But when only Saraya (who changes her name to Paige professionally) is signed by the NXT and jets off to training in Florida while Zak is left behind in the UK, the strained bond with her brother hampers the talented wrestler as she tries to prove herself worthy of the WWE.
Written and directed by Stephen Merchant and produced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – who is magnetic as he plays himself in supporting role – “Fighting with Your Family” has it all, from laughter to heartbreak to lots of wrestling action, and to top it off, an emotionally-charged ending that my very well find you cheering and tearing up at the same time.
Punctuated by footage of the real-life Paige and her family during end credits, “Fighting with My Family” is full of heart and easily one of the best films so far in 2019.
Lammometer: 9 (out of 10)
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for The KQ92 Morning Show,” “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC), WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere.
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