The Bat Cave

Fighting with my Family (2019)
Director: Stephen Merchant (Hello Ladies, The Office)
Starring: Florence Pugh, Jack Lowden, Vince Vaughn, Dwayne Johnson, Nick Frost, Lena Headey

Anticipation Level: Medium

How Was It? Very good. This might seem like a surprise film but I’m not caught off guard to like something written and directed by the co-creator of “The Office.” I am a bit surprised to like a movie that is set in the world of professional wrestling… like Hulk Hogan/Andre the Giant professional wrestling. Yet there I was entertained and *gasp* invested in this girl’s story. This is the first movie I’ve seen Florence Pugh in and she was fantastic. She has an interesting slate ahead of her in 2019 with starring roles in Ari Aster’s (Hereditary) Midsommar and Greta Gerwig’s (Lady Bird) Little Women. I’ve never heard of her before this movie but she looks like she might be a household name by the end of the year and may even find herself in the awards mix. The Rock has some fun cameos and I can finally retort to one of my friends that he’s been in an indisputably good film now. Lena Headey’s role in this was interesting. I can’t say I particularly liked her, but it opened my eyes to just how phenomenal she is as Cersei Lanister on Game of Thrones. It doesn’t even seem like the same person could be playing both roles.

Fighting With My Family is funny and charming with plenty of appeal even if you’re not a fan of wrestling.

Replay Value: Worth seeing again.

Sequel Potential: Based on a true story… I’d say none.

Oscar Potential: Maybe. It’s super early. The best things about this movie are Pugh’s performance and the script, so let’s give both of those a long shot for now.

7/10 (Highly Enjoyable)