A riveting new documentary which charts Irish boxing champion Katie Taylor's attempts to rebuild her career after her agonising defeat at the 2016 Rio Olympics proves just as powerful as its subject matter.
Katie, from filmmaker Ross Whitaker, intimately follows the Bray boxer as she strives to bounce back from a tumultuous year which saw her relationship with father and long-time trainer Pete Taylor disintegrate, leading to her surprising defeat in her quarter-finals bout at the 2016 Olympics.
At the lowest point in a career which had seen nothing but success, Taylor picks herself up off the canvas and decides to turn professional, with the filmmakers there every step of the way as she tries to fight her way back to the top of her sport.
While Taylor may be notoriously shy and guarded outside the boxing ring, 'Katie' offers a deeply personal and eye-opening insight into the painfully shy fighter with help from her close-knit family – apart from one notable exception - who help paint a fascinating portrait of one of Ireland's greatest ever athletes.
Early on in the film, we see Taylor's natural talent for sport shine through and her rapid rise from a fledging boxer who could only book fights by pretending to be a boy to becoming the dominant figure in her sport.
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Taylor's competitive streak, described by her brother Peter as "borderline unhealthy", sees her claim five world championship titles and become a key figure in the Olympic authorities decision to allow woman’s boxing at London 2012, where she claimed the gold medal.
Her success at the London Olympics makes her a national heroine in Ireland, with her focus firmly on claiming a second gold medal in Rio in four years time.
But her unprecedented success would soon come to an end as she had to compete without her father in her corner after the pair fell out when Pete "stepped away from the family to be with another woman".
While the cause of the split between the former 'best friends' is glossed over slightly, the tears from the normally stoic Taylor as she discuss the split captures the before-unseen turmoil she had to endure in the build up to the Rio Olympics.
It's just one of a number of honest and raw moments presented throughout the documentary which unmask the person behind the fighter, with Taylor proving a charming and captivating presence who viewers can't help but root for.
With the pressure of a nation on her shoulders and the turbulent end in her relationship with her father weighing heavily on her mind, Taylor entered the 2016 games far from her usual assured self, culminating in her shocking first round loss which saw the competition favourite leave Brazil without a medal.
Interviewed straight after her surprise defeat, Taylor's stunned silence at her elimination is made all the more affecting in its contrast to the footage of her previous interviews where she appears alongside her father, who would often jump in and respond when the reserved Katie hesitated on a question.
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Alone and facing the biggest fight of her life, viewers are swept along as Taylor heads stateside to begin training with Ross Enamait in an effort to reignite her career, which proves a turning point for her both personally and professionally.
It may seem from the outside that Taylor's undefeated pro career, which has so far seen the 32-year-old claim the WBA female lightweight title and become the first female boxer to headline a show on Sky Sports, has been a complete success.
But this well-crafted documentary manages to vividly show what drives a person who thrives on defying the odds, and the sacrifice it takes to achieve your dreams.
Boxing fans will be enthralled by this rousing look at one of the sport's most inspiring fighters while those unfamiliar with 'the sweet science' will be captivated by the engrossing tale of an athlete who blazed a trail not just for female boxers, but for women in sport.
Taylor's powerful and timely story was always destined for the big screen and 'Katie' packs a punch in bringing the Irish athlete's remarkable life to a wide audience.
'Katie' is released in Irish cinemas on Friday, October 26.
★★★★
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