This is not a wrestling movie. This is a movie about the love a family has for each other. This is a movie about loving parents, and siblings who look out for each other. “Fighting With My Family is the origin story about Diva wrestler Paige.
The movie opens with a scene of her and her brother fighting, when they were about 10/11 years old, and their parents stepping in. Mom and dad do not try to stop the fight, but rather attempt to guide the kids into better wrestling holds to perform during their scuffle. It is at that moment that this heartwarming family movie begins to unfold. That is the scene where the movie grabs you and does not let go. I suggest you bring tissues as most of the folks I previewed the movie with walked out of the theater with some very wet eyes!
FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY is a heartwarming comedy based on the incredible true story of WWE Superstar Paige™. Born into a tight-knit wrestling family, Paige and her brother Zak are ecstatic when they get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to try out for WWE. But when only Paige earns a spot in the competitive training program, she must leave her family and face this new, cut-throat world alone. Paige’s journey pushes her to dig deep, fight for her family, and ultimately prove to the world that what makes her different is the very thing that can make her a star.
Directed By: Stephen Merchant
Cast: Florence Pugh, Lena Headey, Nick Frost, Jack Lowden, Vince Vaughn, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Paige and her brother have had dreams about wrestling in the WWE for most of their lives. They get the chance to audition and run into the Rock. He is a producer of the movie, and plays himself. He does an awesome job:
I interviewed the cast this past weekend, hosted by Annapurna Pictures. It was wonderful to be able to tell WWE Paige herself what a great story she has, and how poignant it was to see it on the big screen. This is the story of her life, how she was an insecure young lady trying to make it in the huge world of pro-wrestling, and how she learned that “Being yourself is your super power!”
We also chatted with Florence Pugh who plays Paige in the movie. They never met during the filming, which Florence says was better because otherwise she might have tried to copy Paige, something that would have affected her acting in the role. And she would have been terrified that she wouldn’t live up to Paige’s standard!
I loved the inside view that Florence shared with us regarding the last scene at the Staples Center in Los Angeles where they were filming the big match. She said the Rock had been told that they had one hour to complete the filming, so there was not a lot of room for mistakes, but he still took 20 minutes as he entertained the crowd with his schtick! The crowd was in on the scenario that a movie was being filmed, but they were still confused! Many knew the music specific to WWE Paige, but then Florence appeared on stage! They didn’t know if they should cheer or boo, and you know those wrestling crowds like to show their emotions, and loudly!
And both Florence and Jack Lowden (who plays her brother Zak in the movie) shared how they both actually got to train with the NXT (training ground for the WWE) in Florida for a week, although it was not party, it was massive hard work.
Paige’s brother in real life is 6’3′ and quite a bit heavier than Jack, so the poor actor had to work out twice a day and eat four to five meals a day to bulk up. That’s the training I like!
Lena Headey and Nick Frost round out the cast as Paige’s parents. This is a true story about a woman who was going to end her life, meeting a guy who just got out of prison. They have a genuine love for each other, and share a connection based on their love of the sport of wrestling. They both shared how they watched the documentary on this family, produced a few years ago, to learn more about the roles they were about to play. I am headed to find that documentary now, this movie is so inspiring that I want more.
Their children inherit that love of the sport, and it helps cement their familial connections. They all work together, and the running theme of Zak rounding up the neighborhood kids to teach them wrestling, is also a poignant part of the story: from the drug dealing teen, to the blind kid, they are all connected in a positive way by training to be wrestlers.
This is a must see movie for the whole family. In select theaters February 14, and everywhere February 22. Buy your tickets at Fandango.com right now, you will not be disappointed!
FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY
Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | #FightingWithMyFamily
And of course there are celebrity photos from the interviews!
How cool that you were able to meet Paige, who my husband and I adore, and we definitely plan to check out the movie too! Thanks so much for all the insider news! Hugs…RO
I’m looking forward to seeing this movie. I didn’t know much about it before reading here.
I can’t wait to see this movie
I can’t wait to see this one. It sounds so good and I love the way some kidscthat were heading inbthecwrong direction get turned around. I too, would love the “eating” part of training. As usual, great review.