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Fighting
2009 105 min United Kingdom, United States of America PG-13 16+
★5.7
Action, Crime, Romance, Drama
Director: Dito Montiel
Trailers
Description
Small-town boy Shawn MacArthur has come to New York City with nothing. Barely earning a living selling counterfeit goods on the streets, his luck changes when scam artist Harvey Boarden sees that he has a natural talent for streetfighting. When Harvey offers Shawn help at making the real cash, the two form an uneasy partnership.
US Gross:
$23.09M
Worldwide:
$32.47M
Starring
Channing Tatum
Actor
Terrence Howard
Actor
Luis Guzmán
Actor
Awards
1 nomination total
Key opinion
Fighting is a character-driven drama rather than a high-octane action film, focusing on the chemistry between its leads amidst a gritty New York City backdrop. While many viewers appreciate its grounded, realistic approach to street brawling, others find the narrative predictable and the lack of traditional spectacle underwhelming.
| Acting | The film excels as a character study, with Channing Tatum and Terrence Howard delivering compelling, charismatic performances that anchor the story. | |
| Adaptation | The fight choreography favors a grounded, realistic style over the flashy, theatrical stunts found in typical action blockbusters. | |
| Cinematography | The nighttime cinematography provides a visually striking, atmospheric portrayal of New York City that adds depth to the urban setting. | |
| Screenplay | The script follows a highly predictable, trope-heavy narrative structure that undermines the film's potential for tension. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the film's genre focus are split: those seeking a gritty human drama appreciate the contemplative pace, while action fans are frustrated by the lack of frequent, dynamic combat sequences. |