For any film critic who is part of any awards voting body, it is the busiest time of the year. As a member of Critics Choice film and TV voting branches, it is even busier trying to make sure I am watching anything put in front of me. This week, I take a look at a few new releases in Anniversary and Christy.

Anniversary

When Ellen and Paul’s son introduces his new girlfriend one lovely afternoon at their 25th anniversary party, no one suspects that it is the beginning of the end for this happy family. The new girlfriend is Liz, Ellen’s former student expelled from the university some years before for her radical views.

I was quite intrigued by the concept and, of course, the star-studded cast. Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Phoebe Dynevor, and a host of others boast such a strong little ensemble. The film takes a little time to get settled, but once it does, you start to unpack some twists and turns that are better than some of the horror movies I’ve seen this year. 

I found myself engaged in most of what unfolded because of a decent little script. Who doesn’t like to watch a family fall apart over their secrets? I know that I do. It helps that you have a strong cast delivering the goods. At the end of the day, Anniversary is the perfect little thriller that will surely find a massive audience when it hits VOD and streaming platforms. 

Christy

Tells the story of Christy Martin, the most successful female boxer of the ninties.

When I was growing up, I remember my family would gather with friends and family and order the big boxing fights and watch them. I remember watching Christy Martin on those undercard fights of the big fights. However, what I didn’t know and many might not have known is the battle she was facing outside the ring. 

Christy Martin struggled outside the ring to be who she wanted to be after getting tangled up with Jim Martin. He was a boxing trainer and eventually became the husband of Christy. Although Christy didn’t want a husband, she thought it was the “right” thing to do to elevate her career. Martin was damn good at what she did, but Martin brought her back to reality every time she stepped out of the ring. 

Following Christy’s life and understanding the adversity that she faced was 99% of what the film is about. While I get us having to see that, I wanted to see more of Christy Martin, the badass boxer in the ring, and less of the relationship we saw in the ring. We never truly witnessed the greatest of her in the ring, and this is what held the film back quite a bit. If this leaned into the structure of The Smashing Machine route, I feel like this could’ve landed a better punch. 

The film is carried by Ben Foster’s performance as Jim Martin. Foster’s depiction of Jim made you truly hate this man (as you should). Foster is consistently great in damn near everything he is in, and this should really lead to an Oscar nomination. As for Sweeney, this was some of her best work we have seen. I wish we would’ve gotten to see her explore the in-ring aspect of Martin to get the depth of the performance, but otherwise she is good. 

Overall, Christy is a prototypical biopic that falls short because of the narrative structure the writers attempted to go down. The good of the film lies within the performance led by an award-worthy performance from Ben Foster and a solid performance from Sydney Sweeney. I’m not sure that you should rush to see this movie in theaters, but if you do, it is a VERY depressing watch, so beware.