Films > Film Reviews

Fighting With My Family

by Kevin

22/02/19

I had no intention of going to see this film but went along with a member of my family to get some time with them. So fair to say I went with no expectations. I was aware of the Norwich Family (Knight Family) who were behind the Wrestling promotions within Norwich, but that was the limit of my knowledge.

Well I was in for a surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed the film, there were good spoonfuls of humour, there were messages for life and to keep going for that dream, as well as when to stop when that dream may not be met. The contrasting of glitzy America and by comparison staid and lets say, less glitzy Norwich, really worked well.

The writing of Stephen Merchant clearly added well-crafted humour and refelction on life’s journey, and of course wrestling. The scenes of him and his screen wife, meeting for the first time, with the Wrestling Family had the right measures of cringe-worthiness and the two worlds not completely getting each other.

Vince Vaughn played a solid role knitting it all together, trying to mesh the Norwich expectations and American realities. Also his story of why some dreams can not always be met. Having Dwayne Johnson at hand (and directing) , certainly did add further endorsement.

So if you want to watch a good family entertainment film, (excuse the few swear words and colourful phrases), if you want a story of hope peppered with some hopes not met, and most importantly you want something based on a true story, where only wee bits have had artistic license, then this is definitely one for you to watch. I would say it had me in mind of Billy Elliot in the form of dreams and what has to go into the effort to make them dreams come true. But the difference here is, not only were the Family trying to support the dream they very much shared every step of it .

I really enjoyed the film, funny, thoughtful and grounded. In my view it was was quite real in the portrayal of Norwich, and as person proud of my adopted City, I felt it had been represented in even handed manner. Alas I can not speak of the portrayal of Las Vegas, as the closest I have come to that is Great Yarmouth.

It was a really down to earth, good entertainment story. May not win any Oscars but will win a few hearts and make people smile

8/10