IMDb > Fighting (2009)
Fighting
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Photos (see all 23 | slideshow) Videos (see all 21 NEW)
Fighting (2009) -- In New York City, a young counterfeiter (Tatum) is introduced to the world of underground street fighting by a seasoned scam artist (Howard), who becomes his manager on the bare-knuckling brawling circuit.
Fighting (2009) -- Clip: Evan goads Shawn during their fight
Fighting (2009) -- Interview: Channing Tatum "On how he broke his nose in the movie"
Fighting (2009) -- A young man, down on his luck, finds a way to make money in underground street fighting
Fighting (2009) -- ZuGuide.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
5.2/10   5,760 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 15% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Dito Montiel
Writers (WGA):
Robert Munic (written by) and
Dito Montiel (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Fighting on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
24 April 2009 (USA) more
Genre:
Action | Drama | Sport more
Tagline:
Some dreams are worth the fight.
Plot:
In New York City, a young counterfeiter is introduced to the world of underground street fighting by a seasoned scam artist, who becomes his manager on the bare-knuckling brawling circuit. | full synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(307 articles)
Method Man Gets His Tools for 'Mortician 3D'
 (From Bloody-Disgusting.com. 5 November 2009, 10:42 PM, PST)

It's Kind of a Funny Story Cast Rounded Out
 (From MovieWeb. 2 November 2009, 12:39 PM, PST)

User Comments:
Fighting Movie Review from The Massie Twins more (52 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Channing Tatum ... Shawn MacArthur

Terrence Howard ... Harvey Boarden
Zulay Henao ... Zulay Velez

Michael Rivera ... Ajax
Flaco Navaja ... Ray Ray
Peter Anthony Tambakis ... Z (as Peter Tambakis)

Luis Guzmán ... Martinez

Anthony DeSando ... Christopher Anthony
Roger Guenveur Smith ... Jack Dancing

Brian J. White ... Evan Hailey (as Brian White)

Ivan Martin ... Stockbroker Jerry
Danny Mastrogiorgio ... Trader Jim
Altagracia Guzman ... Alba Guzmán
Gabrielle Pelucco ... Lila

Angelic Zambrana ... Kimo's Girl
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Untitled Dito Montiel Project (USA) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for intense fight sequences, a sex scene and brief strong language.
Runtime:
105 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English | Russian
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital | DTS
Certification:
USA:PG-13 (certificate #44516) | UK:15 | Ireland:15A | South Korea:15 | Netherlands:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta) | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Canada:14A (Manitoba) | Canada:PG (British Columbia) | Singapore:NC-16 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Norway:15 | Iceland:14 | Germany:16
Company:
Rogue Pictures more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The character Zulay Velez grandmother pronounces her name slightly differently than the rest of the cast at the suggestion of writer Kevin Misher. Misher thought it would indicate a closer relationship between Zulay and her grandmother as family/friends often have pet names for each other. more
Goofs:
Continuity: In the last fight the black guy takes out his shirt twice. more
Quotes:
Jack Dancing: In the words of the late, great, Marvin Gaye. Let's... Get... It... On! more
Movie Connections:
References War (2007) more
Soundtrack:
Gotta Work more

FAQ

Why did Shawn get so mad at Harvey and Zulay?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
Is "Fighting" based on a book?
more
20 out of 38 people found the following comment useful.
Fighting Movie Review from The Massie Twins, 23 April 2009
5/10
Author: joel massie (GoneWithTheTwins) from www.GoneWithTheTwins.com

Fighting capitalizes on the basic entertainment value derived from audiences' desire to see an underdog rise from the ashes and emerge victorious. Upon closer inspection our protagonist proves not to be much of an underdog, but at least his battles against adversity and increasingly stronger opponents come with several camera tricks and creative sound effects to emphasize a high level of intensity and brutality even without the appropriate amount of bloodletting. Channing Tatum convincingly plays the unrefined and uneducated Southern fighter while Terrence Howard mimics a more iconic hustler, and while the film succeeds in the thrills of ruthless street fighting, it sadly falters in the original story department.

Young Shawn MacArthur (Channing Tatum) is reduced to selling bootlegs on the streets to survive in his newfound home of New York City. But his situation quickly changes when he meets hustler and con man Harvey Boarden (Terrence Howard), who introduces him to the dangerous and highly profitable world of underground street fighting. As he rapidly rises to the top, Shawn's unwavering code of honor and his troubled past will find him in the match of his life - and a fight for it.

Terrence Howard will likely receive plenty of praise for his role as a good-intentioned hustler, even though it almost completely duplicates Dustin Hoffman's famous turn as "Ratso" Rizzo. And as he helps the down-on-his-luck, fish-out-of-water counterfeiter succeed in underground fighting (initially swindling him, then offering a place to stay), it's difficult not to compare this film's plot to Midnight Cowboy with an anti-Rocky lead (complete with a very brief training montage on a subway), minus the aforementioned films' flawless execution.

When Shawn is most in need of money, he still insists upon his code of honor and refuses to throw a match. This is utterly ridiculous considering his reason for fighting and the fact that the fights themselves are "anything goes." Where's the honor in that? Apparently the trophy for integrity outweighs the desire for food and shelter, especially for someone content with living like a derelict.

At least there's humor found in desperation, and comic relief in the quagmire of hustling taking place. The laughably bad supporting villains and perfectly cliché main rival don't help Fighting with the sense of distinction so desperately needed after swallowing the simplicity of the title. And when the first two fights establish that skills are pointless in the face of an unruly free-for-all, it's even more difficult to care whether or not Shawn sticks to his principles, wins the girl, gains respect amongst his friends, or defeats his nemesis - all formulaically in that order.

- The Massie Twins

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Fighting (2009)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Pro boxers should quit their sports MrChandlerB
a good movie just bad title vast91c
Terrence Howard will do anything. Fuh_Q_Dude
Not what I expected... fistful_of_boomstick
not what i expected and it was dumb jacob-brown2009
worst posse ever mrnatlantic
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