Tony (Ciara Berkeley) is a talented boxer with the ambition to one day become world champion - but so far she's reduced to fight in swing bouts - basically filler fights to make up for an evening's worth of entertainment - for brothers Jack (Ben Condron) and Micko's (Frank Pendergast) boxing promotion. Swing bouts are rarely announced and at times are cancelled at short order if other, bigger fights, go on longer. But tonight she's not only promised a fight but one that's televised even, as she goes up against influencer Vicki (Chrissie Cronin) making her professional detail. There's just one thing her coach Emma (Sinead O'Riordan) asks her to do - she's to lose the fight, as Vicki has been chosen to be the next star of the promotion and thus needs to get a good start. This naturally weighs heavy on Tony's shoulders even though Emma promises her €10,000 for taking the fall, money that was promised to her by Jack. Of course, Emma doesn't offer the money out of selflessness (though she claims to) but has a bet placed against Tony, a bet that makes the 10,000 for Tony a mere pittance. Now Tony of course doesn't want to lose against Vicki, especially since Vicki's an arrogant bitch, so of course finding out about Emma's bet would be fatal for Emma's scheme ...

A pretty cool ensemble piece that manages to tell many stories that are at best loosely connected all at once, with some of the stories more outlandish than others, but all relatable, even if boxing isn't really your thing. But then the film stays true to its nature of backstage drama by never even showing a boxing ring and depriving the auxience of the fight the whole movie has led up to - and thanks to clever storytelling and a direction that makes the most of its limited locvations, this doesn't matter one bit as the audience's well enterrtained throughout.

Swing Bout will be available on digital download from 12th of May, 2025.

review © by Mike Haberfelner

 

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