The Fits Reviews

Summary Toni trains as a boxer with her brother at a community center in Cincinnati’s West End, but becomes fascinated by the dance team that also practices there. Enamored by their strength and confidence, Toni eventually joins the group, eagerly absorbing routines, mastering drills, and even piercing her own ears to fit in. As she discovers th...

• Drama

• Music

The Fits is what independent moviemaking should be and can be in this country. Like its heroine, it’s slight but it’s built to last.

The miracle of the movie is that, like Toni, it transcends blunt, reductive categorization partly because it’s free of political sloganeering, finger wagging and force-fed lessons. Any uplift that you may feel won’t come from having your ideas affirmed, but from something ineluctable – call it art.

The best ending of 2016. A film of sublime tranquility and not for those without patience. It's not a film for everyone, but for those who give it a chance, it will at least stay with you long after it's over.

In an era of movies dominated by remakes, reboots and generic by-the-numbers filmmaking, it is so refreshing to see a movie like, "The Fits." Unlike typical Hollywood fare, "The Fits" assumes the audience has some intelligence and doesn't need every detail to be explained completely. The film also utilizes a distinctive visual style that immerses you into the world of the protagonist. It also sets the location in a very specific place (Cincinnati, Ohio). The film is essentially a character study of Toni (played by newcomer Royalty Hightower), a tom boy who spends her free time in the boxing gym with her brother. During one of her training sessions, she becomes intrigued by a dance company that practices nearby. In a typical Hollywood movie, the story would be about how Toni struggles to blend in with the group and would culminate with her helping the girls win the big competition, but not here. Like many films of the American New Wave or early West African Cinema, "The Fits" is less concerned about the machinations of a conventional Hollywood narrative and focuses instead on Toni's journey of self-discovery. Throughout the movie, the camera focuses almost entirely on Toni. This is most evident in the dance rehearsal scenes where the adult characters in particular, are kept mostly in the background. A viewer's appreciation for this film is directly proportional to how interested you are in the life of an 11 year old black girl. If you are, the film is immensely satisfying and thought-provoking. If not, you'll quickly become bored and frustrated with the movie. A lot has been made of Royalty Hightower's performance. She is very photogenic and meets the physical and emotional demands of the material very well. However, she is not the only reason to watch this movie. Alexis Neblett as Beezy, one of the new girls with dance company is also a joy to watch. She brings an energy and youthful exuberance to her performance, that one doesn't often see in standard Hollywood fare. Significantly, the kids in "The Fits" look and act like real youngsters, not a Hollywood version of them. At least some of the credit must go to first-time director Anna Rose Holmer to eliciting some fine performances from her cast. Another striking aspect about "The Fits" is its score by Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans. Minimalist in many respects, the score is highly effective and even menacing at times. Overall, the film is technically well-made. "The Fits" is clearly not for every one. If the mention of the latest Hollywood reboot excites you or if you're looking for a movie with predictable plot points, you're best to look elsewhere. However, if you're looking for a film that allows you to think and feel for yourself, "The Fits" is definitely worth a look. Just remember to approach the film with an open mind.

Genuine, honest, thrilling.

An effective and creepy-surreal film.

Holmer draws confident, luminous performances from the cast that rise to the occasion but never seem over-coached or phony.

In a scant 72 minutes and in a few locations, Holmer has found a dignity in her appealing subjects, and a mystery.

There's vision here, clearly, and through the use of eye-catching frames and a standout score, "The Fits" works like magic as an experimental performance piece. As an engaging work of well-rounded cinema, however, there are more than a few missteps.

the film is definitely not for everyone, but if you need to relax and even meditate, it's worth watching without any doubts

This is very much an arty film, in terms of it being quite low in dialogue and featuring dance and style in tone. The plot direction isn't very clear and I did feel there was a sense of isolation put across with the young girl shown expressing her love of dance, while mostly being on her own. There is a somewhat spooky/eery sense when we see the other girls succumbing to the mysterious 'fits' the film is named after. However, it was frustrating that there didn't seem to be much in the way of answers given and it was left a bit open ended overall. It didn't especially appeal to me and I certainly wouldn't call it memorable but if you like arty type films, then this may interest you.

The Fits is refined indie-cinema poetry and therefore is not for everyone. It is elegant and immersive, well acted, and beautifully shot on a single location; relying on these elements more than narrative or explaination, so don't try to find one.

The reviews for this piece of garbage is so strange. It is a bad film through and through. Do not watch it for your own sake. It's the worst film of 2016 I think.

A very bad movie with no depth at all. The movie is a boring documentary on boxing it seems. I did not enjoy it all. Why it's getting such high ratings is beyond me.

National Board of Review, USA

• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations

RiverRun International Film Festival

• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations