20 Underrated Movies From 2000 You've Probably Never Seen
9. Girlfight
Released: 6th October 2000 (US)
The likes of Best In Show and Bring It On may have parodied the tropes of sports competition movies, but that doesn't mean that 2000 wasn't capable of bringing us a gripping serious drama about fighting and overcoming obstacles both in and out of the boxing ring.
While it follows the classic boxing movie story of the sport allowing an avenue for a troubled and violent young person to find a productive outlet for their desire to lash out and punch things, Karyn Kusama's Girlfight shakes things up by making its boxing hero a teenage girl, giving her a load of additional hurdles and expectations to overcome.
Kusama's secret weapon is her leading lady. With the director insistent on casting a Latina actress as the troubled Brooklynite at the heart of Girlfight and finding professional actors too pampered and polished, Kusama turned to Michelle Rodriguez, who had no real experience in either acting of boxing.
Rodriguez's performance is sensational and the real reason for seeing this film. She is magnetic, seething with aggression, determination and dynamism. The role made Rodriguez Hollywood's go-to tough girl, immediately landing her a part in The Fast And The Furious, but she has still never been better than she was here.