Queen of the Ring: A True Story of Grit and Glory

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The film “Queen of the Ring” chronicles a captivating journey through the evolution of women’s wrestling, from its clandestine origins to mainstream popularity. Filmmaker Ash Avildsen narrates this tale by focusing on Mildred Burke, a trailblazer in her time who battled countless hurdles and prejudices to make women’s wrestling a household name. From the 1930s to the 1950s, Burke amassed numerous titles and consistently drew large audiences to her matches. She eventually earned the distinction of being the first female athlete in history to reach a million-dollar career income.

The film “Queen of the Ring” is based on Jeff Leen’s 2009 book, “The Queen of the Ring: Sex, Muscles, Diamonds, and the Making of an American Legend“. In this production, Emily Bett Rickards delivers a powerful portrayal as Mildred “Millie Muscles” Burke, demonstrating resilience and dedication. Her performance effectively conveys what set the legend apart, both within and beyond the ring. This role marks a significant breakthrough for Rickards, as she skillfully combines raw physicality with emotional depth.

Avildsen recounts various stages of Burke’s extraordinary career, starting with her days as a single mother working at a diner run by her mom, Bertha (played admirably by Cara Buono). Her aspiration ignites following her attendance at a wrestling event in Kansas, spearheaded by mid-level wrestler turned manager Billy Wolfe (portrayed by Josh Lucas). Eventually, Billy and his son G. Bill (Tyler Posey) visit their diner, where Millie presents herself and requests Billy to coach her. After some hesitation, he eventually consents.

Millie demonstrates a swift knack for learning, and she and Billy develop romantic feelings for each other. However, Millie’s mother disapproves of their union, leading to her reluctant agreement to marry Billy. Their journey takes them on the road, performing at carnivals throughout the Midwest, with Millie engaging in wrestling matches against men for paying spectators. Seeing potential earnings, Billy expands his roster to include more female wrestlers such as Mae Young (portrayed by Francesca Eastwood), the determined Elvira Snodgrass (Marie Avgeropoulos), and the ambitious Gladys Gillem (Deborah Ann Woll).

Millie’s journey to fame isn’t without challenges. To begin with, in numerous regions, female wrestling was prohibited, making it hard for Billy to exhibit her skills at major arenas. Furthermore, a severe knee injury inflicted by the powerful Texan, June Byers (a formidable Kailey Farmer), kept Millie sidelined for several months. However, the greatest hurdle is Billy herself, whose repeated infidelity and oppressive control have turned their marriage into little more than a commercial venture.

At a press conference for the festival, Avildsen disclosed that over an hour of footage was eliminated from the final edition, and it shows. For instance, the film hurries through Millie’s initiation into wrestling at such a swift pace that we fail to grasp what attracted her to wrestling or what motivated her to persevere during the initial stages. Additionally, there are conspicuous time skips in the narrative that you can’t help but notice.

To be truthful, those elements sparked my curiosity rather than detracting from my enjoyment of the film. This is largely due to Rickard’s outstanding performance, complemented by a remarkable supporting cast, including Lucas, Eastwood, Buono, Farmer, and Woll. Walton Goggins also shines as cunning wrestling promoter Jack Pfefer. Furthermore, Sofija Mesicek’s meticulous costumes, Molly Coffee’s authentic production design, and Andrew Strahorn’s vivid cinematography create an immersive experience that takes us from the opening scene to the very last frame.

In “Queen of the Ring,” Ash Avildsen immerses us into an unfamiliar realm, narrating Mildred Burke’s intriguing true tale with some creative liberties, including a few substantial ones. However, these decisions enhance the drama without diluting the pioneering essence of her narrative. The wrestling matches within the ring are exhilarating, the connections formed beyond the ring feel genuine, and Millie’s tenacity in overcoming numerous obstacles is genuinely inspiring. “Queen of the Ring” will be screening in select theaters on March 7th.

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2025-03-04 19:08