The Fighter - Review

Not exactly what you expect when you buy a movie ticket to see a boxing film, The Fighter is a triumph of gritty working class cinema, where the actors try their best, the director tries his best and the film works. The film's genre changes a little throughout the film as it morphs between the documentary that is being filmed early, yet remains a solid drama of family values and conflicts.

Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) is a struggling walterweight boxer from the town of Lowell, he is mentored and trained by his brother, and former big time boxer, Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale). Ward is known as a 'stepping stone' boxer, who is used by bigger boxers to make up easy victories. Micky is managed by his mother Alice (Melissa Leo). Dicky has a heavy crack addiction and is being filmed by HBO in a documentary as he prepares for a 'comeback'. Micky only wants to become a great boxer and make the big time, and with help from his girlfriend, Charlene Fleming (Amy Adams), begins to look outside his small town and big family. Micky is always wanting a crack at the big time, and to do so he may have to hurt those who he is closest to.

The Fighter basically belongs to the actors. Although David O. Russell does a solid effort as the director, and the script is very good, this is an acting film. One highlight of the film is the lack of boxing, as it focuses on the lives of it's characters outside the ring. Wahlberg is terrific as the leading man Micky, yet Bale steals every scene. He performs brilliantly as Dicky, and should win the Academy Award for his performance. Bale dominates every scene and proves he is a sensational actor in his own right. Adams is also surprisingly fantastic as Charlene, while Leo also is excellent as she strives towards her own Oscar. The Fighter is a little bit slow in the beginning, yet it breaks into stride perfectly towards the middle and finish of the film. Well worth watching, even for those who are not into violence, as the fighting is limited.

Three and a Half out of Five.