Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Bruised
It’s “Rocky” meets “Million Dollar Baby” in an unsanctioned female fly weight mixed martial arts match. Years after walking away from a promising career, aging Jackie Justice (Halle Berry) accepts an offer to re-enter the cage against a top MMA fighter. While receiving rigorous tough love training preparations, Justice’s world seems to go from bad to worse. It’s the classic underdog story as the challenger gets pummeled & bloodied going toe-to-toe against her dominant opponent. Berry is terrific as the woman/mom/fighter struggling against abusive situations, dealing with homelessness, & providing for her estranged son. Berry is also convincing as the cage warrior struggling to prove herself. Producer/star Berry also makes her directorial debut here. This girl power film is about turning your life around.
Alien gives it 3 “Big & Little” stars out of 4.
