A L'INIS, Christal Films presentation of an INIS Releve production. (International sales: Christal Films, Montreal.) Produced by Ian Quenneville, Thomas Ramoisy. Executive producers, Francine Allaire, Ginette Petit. Directed by Anais Barbeau-Lavalette. Screenplay, Renee Beaulieu, based on an idea by Beaulieu, Barbeau-Lavalette.
With: Maxime Desjardins-Tremblay, Maxime Dumontier, Julianne Cote, Roy Leveillee, Stephane Demers, Suzanne Lemoine.
(French dialogue)
Life is an uphill battle in the gritty, unsentimental but nevertheless touching drama "The Fight." Yarn about a pugnacious, wrestling-obsessed 12-year old from the wrong side of Montreal's tracks is an authentic social-realist contender that achieves must-see status on the strength of its central perf by Maxime Desjardins-Tremblay. October 2007 bout in Quebec theaters garnered mild interest, but pic deserves wider circulation on a fest tour. Play is also possible in Gaul and arthouses where Mike Leigh or Ken Loach films are appreciated.
When not watching the weekly costumed wrestling matches in Quebec's local league, intense, belligerent, disaffected 12-year-old Jessy (Desjardins-Tremblay) spends his time hanging out in Montreal's rail yards. It beats staying at home, where he and his siblings must compete for the attentions of petty crim father (Stephane Demers) and heroin-addicted mother (Suzanne Lemoine).
Shoplifting chocolate bars for sustenance and collecting bottles to buy the things his father is unwilling to supply, Jess seeks out the company of middle-aged homeless guy Max (Jason Roy Leveille) and his half-blind dog, Clop. Down and out but helpful, Max fixes Jessy's bike and is cheered by the 12-year-old's willingness to roll his cigarettes for him. In turn, the boy is glad to hang out with someone who neither berates nor beats him.
Narrative appears deceptively episodic, but helmer Anais Barbeau-Lavalette has a strong grip on Renee Beaulieu's script (based on a shared idea) and the milieu in which it occurs. Pic's English title succinctly captures the central question facing any person trying to survive poverty: "Why keep fighting when you know the game is fixed?"
Perfs are strong, but Desjardins-Tremblay transfixes the attention with a seamlessly authentic depiction of a troubled boy. The depth of emotion in the thesp's face when confronted by life's disappointments shows a genuine talent, independent of adults behind the camera.
Impressive lensing captures the gray qualities of Montreal's granite-heavy cityscape, matching Jessy's ennui with that of an equally desolate slum district.
Other tech credits are winners.
Camera (color), Philippe Lavalette; editor, Carina Baccanale; music, Catherine Major; production designer, David Pelletier; sound (Dolby Digital), Olivier Leger. Reviewed at Berlin Film Festival (Panorama), Feb. 14, 2008. Running time: 87 MIN.
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Date in print: Mon., Mar. 10, 2008