-Written by Kyle Bain.
The Boston music scene is booming, and there are a series of female artists that are trying to make their way into the industry. Dozens of women take the stage and express to the world their experiences in the industry, and what life is like for them as female artists. Beautiful Was the Fight takes viewers on a radical musical journey, one full of power and setbacks.
Most importantly, Beautiful Was the Fight presents to the world a series of truly talented individuals. That’s the most important aspect of this film, and it’s the reason why this documentary will ultimately thrive.
I’ve watched dozens of these documentaries, and nearly every time I think to myself at least once throughout the course of my viewing something along the lines of “this music isn’t great.” There’s almost always a moment in a documentary like this when the music doesn’t work for me, but not with Beautiful Was the Fight. This aspect of Beautiful Was the Fight is just that, beautiful–but the primary storyline of this documentary falls in line with so many other modern films (both documentary and narrative), and it’s not terribly entertaining.
The world has become political, far more than it’s ever been before (at least in my time here). Everyone has a political story, everyone is an expert on the politics of the world–and everyone is ready and willing to speak their mind on these topics. Beautiful Was the Fight harps on these ideas throughout its entirety. While I understand that the purpose of this film, beyond showcasing these talented individuals, is to express to the world the disparities present in the music industry, this just doesn’t work for the film. This might sound harsh, but I don’t care. Had the tone of the world not shifted in the past ten years, had it not been that nearly every film has to make a political statement (no matter how small), I think I would care more. But the industry has beaten a dead horse to a pulp, to the point where unless you’re the one fully immersed in whatever those gender-based tragedies are, you can’t appreciate what is being said.
Beautiful Was the Fight falters when it speaks about politics–but it thrives in its musical moments (which, fortunately, is most of the film). The primary purpose of this film is to enlighten the world, to discuss the politics of music making–specifically how it pertains to female artists; I understand that, but that’s not for me. It’s not for the viewer that is, like me, tired of the politics in film. Beautiful Was the Fight, however, is brilliantly upbeat in the moments of music, in the moments of live performances, in the camaraderie–and that’s why it’s an enjoyable watch.
Directed by Dave Habeeb.
Starring Ruby Rose Fox, Sasha Alcott, Hayley Jane, Jen Kearney, Chelsea Berry, etc.
7/10 = WATCH IT FOR FREE
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