Knuckle (2011)

Knuckle (R) - Review

"Fighting Irish"

A family feud that has lasted for decades (or perhaps longer since no one can quite remember why it started) results in bareknuckle boxing matches for money in this English made documentary that spans over 10 years of filming.  These Irish "Traveller" families (near-gypsies) settle their disputes the old fashioned way, boxing in cow pastures.  Vast sums of money as well as the family honor are waged against one son or another, who beat it out until one of them gives up.  As a documentary, the amount of time inside the secret lives of these people is interesting, while the boxing itself is unglamorous and uncinematically violent.  The film mostly follows champion boxer McDonagh as he represents his clan over and over through a near decade of fighting, for what reason even they don't know. Grim old world accents and attitudes prevail as fathers grow into old men and their sons grow up to continue the fighting.

5.5 The Mighty Quins out of 10 (MEDIOCRE)