Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
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.
Fighting (2009) is a fairly formulaic underdog street-fighting drama that hits well-worn beats: small-town outsider finds purpose through underground combat, forms an unlikely mentor partnership, and pursues a romance. The plot offers little surprise, recycling elements from countless similar films. Channing Tatum and Terrence Howard bring some genuine chemistry and charisma to their roles, elevating the acting above the script's limitations. The New York City cinematography is competent and grounded, capturing a gritty urban atmosphere without being particularly distinctive. Novelty is low — the film is derivative of the street-fighting genre with no meaningful twist on the formula. The ending resolves predictably without much dramatic payoff, leaving little lasting impression.