Given its popularity MMA has become the go-to subject matter for various films of varying qualities, with the variety of styles as diverse as the fighting methods presented in the cages around the world. Case in point ‘EMBATTLED’ (2020) which uses the MMA theme as a backdrop to tell the story of a fractured father-son relationship, and the tragedy that is often associated with broken familial ties.
The troubled family presents an abusive and greedy MMA fighter Cash (Stephen Dorff) who despite mistreating his family is still somehow idolised by his young son Jett (Darren Mann), who seeks to don the gloves and fight like his father. Ultimately, this is a serviceable story about family dynamics with the MMA theme, with familial conflict playing out in a literal adversarial environment complete with actual combat. There is somewhat of a neat paradox, as the mending of a broken link is mended through a destructive and brutal sport.
There is a clear contrast between Cash and Jett, with the latter becoming everything his own father was not – becoming a reliable rock for his special needs brother Quinn (Colin McKenna) and their long-suffering Mother Susan (Elisabeth Reaser). This might be too heavy handed in parts, however Mann does portray Jett with as much admirable qualities and believability it isn’t hard to root for him as he navigates the rigors of his life.
Undoubtedly, the stand out of the film is Stephen Dorff who has himself had a very colourful movie history and perhaps taking some cues from his star turn in ‘THE POWER OF ONE’ (1992) does retain the same fighter swagger, with some excellent speed and technical boxing prowess. One of the bets things about Dorff is how he had transitioned from a fresh faced hero to a sneering villain in films like ‘BLADE’ (1998), and in ‘EMBATTLED ‘ he effectively chews the scenery with a nastiness that does make him a memorable bad guy. He other notable face was Donald Faison who many would recognise as the cheeky and zany Dr. Chris Turk from the TV series ‘SCRUBS’, though given his prior comedic roles his presence in this type of movie as a disabled US Army Veteran, is perplexing.
This is one of only two films that have been directed by Nick Sarkisov, with the Georgian previously helming the post-revolutionary Russian film, KRASNY (2016); he certainly does have an eye for drama, his minimal experience (possibly working with smaller budgets) is evident in EMBATTLED, as his style isn’t anything too spectacular. The movie does favour close up shots in the MMA fight scenes, which is not only disappointing but disorientating as these techniques will often be utilised to mask the deficiencies of the exponents themselves. It is almost as laughable bad as the advent of shakey-cam from years past and certainly not something that MMA or even martial arts movie fans will appreciate.
Which is a shame because the film had the presence of the supremely talented yet underrated David McKenna, who had previously written ‘AMERICAN HISTORY X’ (1998) and is attached to a Teddy Roosevelt mini-series. There are some punchy qualities to the dialogue – especially with some rousing monologues by Cash, and for the most part it does deliver however a stronger script with a weaker directing style does compromise the film overall.
It is visceral and impactful in parts, though at close to two hours in its run time the movie can meander in parts and there is a certain unevenness to the pacing. Some may argue that this was a deliberate method from the Director, to steer away from a formulaic narrative however this would appear to be accidental. It suffers in parts because whilst there is an appreciable quality to the way Dorff’s character is humanised in parts, it doesn’t explore this with greater depth and the subsequent important battle that he faces carries less emotional weight.
As a combat sports drama it isn’t a patch on similar themed movies such as ‘WARRIOR’ (2011), ‘ROCKY’ (1976) or even ‘BEST OF THE BEST’ (1989) however what is does manage to achieve is provide a character study into the toxic relationship between father and son. The silly actual battle between both is one of intergenerational eras as much as it is ideals, with the son eagerly wanting to forge ties with his father yet paradoxically challenging the principles he is attempting to emulate.
Whilst this contradictory element might present the narrative in the most ridiculous of ways, there is a brutal tragedy in how it all concludes. In many ways, it emulates the very first ‘ROCKY’ movie which promotes self-development and conquering one’s own limitations through a combative sport. EMBATTLED attempts to take this a step further, but falters in its execution. And yet despite its deficiencies, there is still enough to present the film as a cathartic study about the parent and child dynamic, despite the extremities of the sport of MMA.
Additionally, there is more to appreciate here than in the laughably bad ‘NEVER BACK DOWN’ films.