It takes a lot to make the Olympics. It takes even more to go and successfully represent your country. Every four years we come together and celebrate hundreds of athletes who have poured their blood, sweat, and tears into making it to the highest level in their sport.
But what happens when the games end and everyone goes home? That’s just one of the powerful questions posed by The Fire Inside, a new drama centered on Olympic boxer Claressa T-Rex Shields.
The film centers on Shields (Ryan Destiny), who represented the United States in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic games. She came from humble beginnings, growing up in Flint, Michigan. There, she turned to boxing as an outlet from her life. Her first challenge was simply winning over coach Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry), who wasn’t sure boxing was a sport for girls.
But Jason gives her a chance, and Claressa makes the most of it. Soon, she’s the most accomplished fighter at his gym and he sees she has a chance to go further. She goes through the Olympic trials in China and eventually punches her ticket to the London Games.
In the games, despite missing Coach Jason, she finds a way to persevere. Though still just a high school student, Claressa wins Gold—something no U.S. boxer had accomplished in years. It makes her a hero to her hometown community, but when she returns Claressa finds little has changed.
While she sees other Olympians on cereal boxes and being celebrated with lavish endorsement deals, she continues to struggle financially and struggle to find family and a place of belonging. Claressa has to overcome all that, and some self-doubt, as she works her way back to try and defend her title in the 2016 games.
I am a huge Olympics fan. Every four years I delight in watching our athletes compete for the United States. But, like so many, I’m guilty of putting those athletes out of mind in the time between games. That’s part of the problem for so many of these passionate and talented athletes who compete and pour their soul into their craft for their country.
I hadn’t heard about T-Rex Shields before this movie, but I was drawn to the story. It’s deep and deeply emotional at times. I love Henry as her coach Jason, who in a lot of ways feels like the heart of the film. But it’s also a beautiful story that celebrates the courage, grit, and determination of an athlete who gave so much to her sport, country, and community.
For fans of inspirational sports stories, this will hit the spot. It’s a well-told tale that will delight audiences in theaters and on Prime Video. It’s worth seeking out this holiday season.
The Fire Inside releases wide on December 25.