The best mystery of adolescent beauty and joy in “The Fits”
By Jenny Alvarez
Photo By Courtesy
From director Anna Rose Holmer, a story full of emotions from a young African American girl’s transition out of childhood and the anxiety around growing up. Eleven-year-old tomboy Toni (a showstopping Royalty Hightower) is bewitched by the tight-knit dance team she sees practicing in the same Cincinnati rec center where she boxes. Enamored by the power and confidence of the strong community of girls, Toni spends less and less time boxing with her older brother. Instead, she becomes eagerly absorbed in the dance routines and masters drills, even piercing her own ears in an effort to fit in with the older, more assured girls. But when a mysterious outbreak of fainting spells plagues the team, Toni’s transformation and her desire for acceptance become more complicated. Gorgeously shot and with a mesmerizing score, THE FITS is a singular experience and a marvelous portrait of adolescence.
During 72 min the connections between people and events are truly connected with a systematic metamorphosis related to athleticism, sexuality, ritualized aggressiveness and shared dreams of exotic beauty.A film that makes to think how girl’s desire to join a rigorous drill team with certain accomplishment in which some community centers are involved after their rough workouts. Definitely is the best reflect of symbol of mass identity.
