Sydney Sweeney's dramatic physical transformation into champion boxer Christy Martin cannot compensate for the clichés and flaws in the new biopic Christy, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. The actress gained 30lb, wore a dark wig and brown contact lenses, and trained for months to portray the real-life boxer. However, critics note that her high-profile celebrity persona makes it difficult to lose herself in the role.
The film, directed by David Michôd, follows the predictable underdog sports story of Martin's rise in women's boxing during the 1990s. It prioritises the sporting narrative over her more compelling personal drama, including her abusive marriage to trainer Jim Martin, played by Ben Foster. Foster portrays the controlling bully convincingly, but the domestic violence occurs off-screen while the boxing sequences are filled with visceral violence.
Sweeney's off-screen controversies, including a kerfuffle over an American Eagle ad and praise from Donald Trump, add unwanted baggage. The Hollywood Reporter recently questioned where her career would go 'after being in the centre of the storm.' This hyperawareness distracts from the film, which ultimately pushes buttons effectively for some viewers, with the audience cheering at the Toronto screening. But for now, Sweeney's celebrity still overshadows her acting.
