Sidney Sweeney has merchandise to hit her path to the Oscar race for “Christie.”
The talented actress will completely transform into “Christie,” a bruise and emotionally charged biopic about groundbreaking boxer Christie Martin. Directed by Australian filmmaker David Michord (The Animal Kingdom) the film chronicles the appearance of Martin as America’s most famous female boxer in the late 1980s and the miserable attempts in her life by her husband and former trainer.
The film has brought a strong response at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, positioning her to run seriously with Sweeney’s best actress nomination.
Martin was on stage with Sweeney, Missey and the rest of the cast as the crowd at Princess of Wales Theatre cried out loud.
“Christie, you are absolutely incredible, and I am so honored. I am going to cry! “And it was a dream to be able to have her by my side during this process, but then it’s scary again, because you said, ‘Oh, oh, we’re doing this in front of her!” And I wasn’t sure. She is the best boxer in the world and I have to hook and hit.
Martin, who had held a real dog on stage before Pooch could laugh from the crowd, praised Sweeney’s transformation.
“She wasn’t a beautiful, sexy Sydney. She was a tough and sturdy Christie,” Martin said.
Sweeney touched the fierce regiment that helped shape her body into the body of an elite boxer. “I trained for a couple of months ago (shooting). I had a boxing coach, a weight trainer, a nutritionist. I trained three times a day. I trained while filming.”
“And I ate a lot of Chickfill A,” Mikod intervened.
“Yeah, there’s a lot of milk shaking and a lot of protein shaking,” Sweeney added an increase in calorie intake. “But it was incredible to be able to fully embody such a powerful woman. I felt even stronger. It was really exciting.”
In many ways, “Christie” plays like Sidney Sweeney’s “I, Tonya” (2017). This is a gritty, career-defined showcase that can cut her out into Oscar’s contest, as does Margot Robbie’s breakout on Biopic. Like Robbie, Sweeney disappears into the role, offering raw, physically demanding performances that mark the most mature and persuasive work of her career. It is an impressive transformation. The typical petite star adds noticeable muscle and weight, and is completely persuasive as a woman who feels that punches leave a real bruise not only on her enemies but also on her audience.
At just 27 years old, Sweeney has already been nominated for two Emmy Awards. One for “Euphoria” and “White Lotus” in 2022, and the other as “Christie” star and producer, her presence speaks to a strategic pivot for more prestigious materials. This may be the moment when they fully embrace her as the industry warms up to her for a while.
Still, history has not always been women friendly in the field of boxing film. The sport brings Oscar Gold to candidates like Robert De Niro (“Raging Bull”) and Sylvester Stallone (“Rocky”), but the female-led boxing role translated into Oscar’s success has been translated into the victory of Best Actress in “Million Dollar Baby”. It’s one nomination, one victory, and a long drought ever since. Fun fact: They mention this performance in the film.
The Academy tends to support physical transformation and high emotional stakes in the acting races Sweeney offers in Spade. She reportedly trains extensively to portray Martin, and the film spans more than 30 years of an athlete’s life, clicking on the biopic beats the Academy has long supported.
Ben Foster, one of the most consistently underrated actors of his generation, is a co-star as Christie’s abusive husband and trainer Jim Martin. A performance similar to Lawrence Fishburne’s portrayal of Ike Turner, “and what do you do?” (1993). In Fishburne’s example, it was one of a rare period when acting nominations were brought about by playing violent and abusive characters.
In fact, if a character plays a character that’s too disgusting, the actor’s brunch may seem the opposite. Watch Danny Glover in his calm turn in The Color Purple (1985). Despite the film’s 11 nominations for the landings, it is one of the Academy’s most infamous snubs. Foster’s portrayal is euphoric – a disgusting yet human – he has been long postponed for recognition (“Lord Survivor”, “To Yuma to 3:10”, “Leave no traces”), which could be a tough nomination to land.
Still, for boxing trainers, it’s worth noting the academy’s historic soft spot (even if he’s a monster). Acting nods went to Burgess Meredith (“Rocky”), Paul Giamatti (“Cinderella Man”), Clint Eastwood and winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”). Foster’s role certainly isn’t cut from the same fabric. It is much darker and morally plagued.
The ensemble includes memorable turns from Christie’s friend and formal rival Katie O’Brian, as well as Lisa Hollwin and Merritt Weber as Christie’s cold mother. Still, Chad L. Coleman might be the one who stands out for the supporting cast. Chad L. Coleman offers an interesting and almost eerie portrayal of Boxing Imprezario Don King’s evil.
Written by Katherine Fugate, Mirrah Foulkes and Michôd, “Christy” compresses a vast three-year story into a gritty, character-driven sports drama. It’s a tough watch, especially in domestic violence scenes where some viewers need trigger warnings, but in a world that appears to turn its back on #MeToo’s movement, it resonates with urgency and purpose.
Sweeney’s path to the Dolby Theatre is not guaranteed, but this year it’s a busy area with serious candidates like Jesse Buckley (“Hamnet”) and René Trains (“Sentimental Value”). But “Christy” has all the elements of a viable competitor. Transformative lead performance, emotional strength, social relevance, and academies often reward.
Behind the camera, the producer team includes Michôd, Sweeney, Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, Justin Lothrops, Brent Stiefel and Teddy Schwarzman. The film is scheduled to be released via Black Bear Pictures on November 7th and will offer slots for the Prime Awards season.
She may be in the battle for her career, but don’t count her yet.
