"Queen of the Ring" is a historical drama that outlines the gripping story of Mildred Burke, interpreted by Emily Bett Rickards, a woman determined to make her mark in the male-dominated world of professional wrestling. The film, directed and written by Ash Avildsen, endeavors to depict Burke’s journey as an icon of unwavering resilience and perseverance. However, the film’s impact is somewhat diminished due to a lack of convincing dialogue or unique stylistic execution.
The film covers two significant decades of Burke's life, from the beginning of her wrestling career in the 1930s to her champion title achievement in the 1950s, derived from Jeff Leen's book by the same name. Regrettably, the narrative appears dogged and lacks dynamic flair, with characters introduced by full names that feel more like a history lesson than a film dialogue.
The audience first meets Burke as a single mother working at her mother’s hamburger joint, with dreams of becoming an entertainer. Despite wrestling being a male-only sport, she pursued her passion and succeeded in convincing promoter Billy Wolfe, played by Josh Lucas, in training her. Soon, they form a romantic relationship and go on to establish a female wrestling league, becoming a sensation on the wrestling scene.
However, their personal relationship strains due to Wolfe's abusive and philandering behavior. Despite her personal maelstroms, Burke continues to succeed and build her wrestling league empire. Even in times of adversity, the audience never doubts her capacity to bounce back. The biographical film, however, fails to tie these pivotal moments of Burke’s life with significant historical events of the time, such as the Great Depression or World War II.
The film also shines a light on Burke's groundbreaking inclusivity in opening the league to African American women, although this feels forced due to the clumsy way it’s presented. While Rickards portrays Burke with unflagging enthusiasm and resolve, her performance lacks variety, remaining constant despite the tumultuous events Burke experiences.
The film mostly devolves from potential historical significance into a monotonous procession of events. Strahorn's over-lit cinematography gives an illusion of uniformity to all the wrestling venues, reducing the impact of individual scenes. Though the use of the wrestling match announcer as a narrator adds a touch of authenticity, the final touch leaves much to be desired. The intertitles, presenting Wolfe as a pioneer in female wrestling despite his portrayal as an abuser throughout the film, add confusion to the narrative and take from the gravitas of the story.
Running for over two hours, "Queen of the Ring" transforms into a solemn, unvaried tale. Even though the film intends to celebrate Burke’s life, the diluted storytelling and lack of nuance fail to make her journey as engaging as it could have been. In conclusion, the film's attempt to be a respectful tribute to Burke falls short in delivering an entertaining and in-depth look at her remarkable life.
