Watch The Fight

The Fight is a 2020 documentary film that follows a team of lawyers and advocates from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as they battle against some of the most pressing issues facing the United States today. Directed by Elyse Steinberg, Josh Kriegman, and Eli Despres, the film provides a behind-the-scenes look at the cases and campaigns that the ACLU is involved in, and the ion and dedication of the attorneys who fight for civil rights and social justice.

The movie opens with scenes from the day after President Donald Trump's inauguration, as a team of ACLU lawyers and staff gather to discuss their response to the new istration's policies. One of the first cases they take on is the Travel Ban, which bars citizens of several predominantly Muslim countries from entering the US. The filmmakers follow ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt as he races to secure a court order to block the ban, and interviews several affected families who are desperate to reunite with their loved ones.

The Fight also covers the ACLU's work on other high-profile cases, including the fight for reproductive rights in Kentucky and Missouri, and the battle against family separation at the US-Mexico border. We see striking footage of immigration detention centers, as well as interviews with some of the families who have been torn apart by the Trump istration's policies. The ACLU team works tirelessly to secure the release of children and reunite them with their parents, and the film conveys the emotional toll this work takes on them.

The documentary also delves into some lesser-known campaigns, such as the fight against voter suppression in Georgia and the fight for transgender rights in Virginia. We meet activists and community leaders who are working alongside the ACLU to effect change, and see the progress and setbacks of these efforts.

Throughout the film, we get to know several of the ACLU attorneys and advocates who are the driving force behind these cases. Brigitte Amiri is a senior staff attorney who leads the fight for reproductive rights, while Joshua Block is a staff attorney who spearheads the work on LGBT rights. We also meet David Cole, the ACLU's national legal director, who reflects on the role of the organization in the current political climate.

The Fight also provides some historical context for the work of the ACLU, tracing its origins back to its founding in 1920. The film notes the landmark Supreme Court cases that the organization has been involved in, such as Brown v. Board of Education and Roe v. Wade, and underscores the importance of this work in protecting civil rights and liberties.

Overall, The Fight is a powerful and thought-provoking film that shines a light on some of the most pressing issues facing the US today. It provides a glimpse into the lives of the attorneys and advocates who are on the front lines of these battles, and highlights the urgency of their work in a time of political upheaval and uncertainty. By highlighting the work of the ACLU, the film also inspires viewers to get involved in the fight for justice and equality.

The Fight is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 73.