Documentary Review: ‘All American’ – Wrestling With Identity and Belonging

Mark Andrew Altschul’s ‘All American‘ is more than a documentary about women’s wrestling. When you give it your attention, you will realise that it is a heartfelt look at what it truly means to fight for recognition, purpose, and identity. All attributes are not just peculiar for women in sports, but when you look at the broader landscape of sporting disciplines that are predominantly dominated by men, you can see why this film had to be made.

Over several years, Mark Andrew Altschul follows three young women, Naomi, Jojo, and Arham, each of whom is trying to find herself in a world that often underestimates her. What begins as a story about sports slowly unfolds into something far more personal, layered, and universally relatable.

Naomi and Jojo train in modest gyms in the Bronx and Brooklyn, juggling their academic lives and athletic ambitions while wrestling in a sport that rarely gives girls the same respect as boys. Their journey feels both physical and emotional, as they battle exhaustion, self-doubt, and a lack of resources that would have crushed the spirits of lesser individuals. Arham’s story, however, cuts deeper. Wrestling has not only given her confidence but also caused a rift with her conservative Muslim family, forcing her to choose between faith and freedom. The film captures her struggle with the lens as well as some beautifully stylised animations that bring another feel to the film. For Arham, her biggest fights aren’t on the mat. She is fighting against family, tradition and religion. A fight she is not sure how to win.

What stands out most in ‘All-American‘ is its honesty. The film takes an observational approach, following its subjects patiently as their story unfolds over the years. The camera lingers on the small, quiet moments, the heavy breaths after practice, the coach’s encouraging nod, the silent tears in a locker room. It’s in these in-between scenes that the film finds its heart. You come to care for these young women not just because they’re talented athletes, but because they’re humans who are not just vulnerable, but determined to succeed at something no matter how daunting the task seems.

There’s also a larger story at play here with how the film subtly tackles the idea of opportunity and access. The film subtly exposes how economic privilege and institutional neglect shape who gets to dream big. Naomi, for instance, has to compete against other athletes from better-funded schools. This captures the reality of the larger issues of inequality that plague America. A reality that many, especially descendants of immigrants, have to quietly endure.

And yet, ‘All-American‘ isn’t bitter. It’s a film that is hopeful in a grounded way, celebrating the victories that come from persistence, no matter how small. Even when the story turns uncertain, particularly with Arham’s unresolved fate, the film never loses its emotional grip. Her absence, her silence, and her choices linger, echoing the reality that empowerment doesn’t always come neatly packaged but is necessary for success.

By the end, ‘All American‘ feels like a quiet rebellion. It is not a film about the fight for a gold medal. It is a film about acceptance and acknowledgement. Women can wrestle, and they have to be supported and encouraged in every way to be a part of the sport. After all, isn’t that what “all-American” really stands for?

I will score this documentary film 4 out of 5 stars.