Why It Ranks
Girlfight is the most important women's boxing film before Million Dollar Baby. Rodriguez's breakout performance is electric. Kusama's direction earned the Sundance Grand Jury Prize. It paved the way for every female fighting film that followed.
The Film
Girlfight launched Michelle Rodriguez's career and announced Karyn Kusama as a major directing talent. Rodriguez plays Diana Guzman, a troubled Brooklyn teenager who channels her rage into amateur boxing. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and treats women's boxing with the same seriousness that male boxing films receive. Rodriguez's ferocity is utterly convincing — she trained for months and throws punches like she means them.
Fun Facts
Michelle Rodriguez was discovered through an open casting call — she had no prior acting experience.
The film was made for just $1 million and launched Rodriguez's career in The Fast and the Furious.
Karyn Kusama went on to direct Aeon Flux and Jennifer's Body.
The boxing scenes were praised for their realism by actual female boxers.
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