Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Polish drama about singing competition has strong language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Fierce
What's the Story?
In FIERCE, the Polish version of the American Idol talent show comes to a small Polish village for auditions, a move that dredges up the past of the show's lead judge and chief curmudgeon, Olo (Maciej Zakoscielny). Olo is a bitter one-hit wonder who blew that town 18 years before, leaving behind his pregnant girlfriend Malgosia (Anita Sokolowska). Now wealthy, successful, and involved with fellow judge Ewa (Julia Kaminska), he's never looked back. Equally bitter is the now 18-year-old daughter Marta (Katarzyna Sawczuk), who grew up in that village. Her nickname is "Fierce," perhaps because she is none-too-pleasant, a quality that has made her an outcast at school. Still, she has guts and anger and both get her past the show's gatekeepers to an audience with Olo. She denigrates him publicly, an event that goes viral. Her outburst invites so much attention that the producer invites her back as a contestant and it turns out that unbeknownst to everyone, even herself, as if by magic, she can sing. Olo, still unaware she's his daughter, votes against her, but another judge champions Fierce through to the next round. Tension at the competition grows. How will this end for Olo and Fierce?
Is It Any Good?
Fierce is about as entertaining as a good episode of one of the popular talent shows on TV, featuring involving moments and dull ones, talented people and not-so-talented people. The behind-the-scenes back-biting and jockeying on the fictional show -- among the judges and the competitors -- feel pretty generic and unoriginal, but Olo's conflicting feelings about fatherhood and Fierce's rejection of him provide some moments of interest. The performances are surprisingly uneven for a show that's supposed to be about discovering great performers. It's especially unbelievable that Fierce says "I sing terribly," then belts out songs as if she's been practicing in her bedroom for years.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the daughter would want to go see the father she says she hates so much. Do you think her decision to yell at the dad she's never met in front of a crowd of people, without bothering to explain to him that she's his daughter, seems realistic?
Olo seems selfish. What does the movie want us to think about his reaction to learning he has a full-grown daughter?
Since both Olo and Fierce are explosive personalities, how do you predict their relationship will proceed into the future?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 2, 2020
- Cast : Katarzyna Sawczuk , Maciej Zakoscielny , Anita Sokolowska , Julia Kaminska
- Director : Anna Wieczur-Bluszcz
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 118 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : July 24, 2022
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