The Fighter Will Knock You Out

The Fighter

Reviewed by Adam Minor

2010's The Fighter is a hard hitting masterpiece from David O. Russel about what it takes to be a prize-winning fighter and the people who help you get there.

Mark Wahlberg plays Micky Ward, a boxer who's making his way up the ladder for a shot at the title. With his trainer brother Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale), manager mother Alice Ward (Melissa Leo) and supportive girlfriend Charlene Fleming (Amy Adams), Micky will get his chance. That is, if his crack-addicted brother doesn't get in his way.

Wahlberg is the lead in this film, but the pride is in the supporting cast. Christian Bale, Melissa Leo and Amy Adams were all nominated amongst the best supporting actors and actresses at the Academy Awards for The Fighter, with Bale and Leo taking home the trophy. Christian Bale's Dicky sneaks in as the real meat of the film- one that (at least) I cared about more. Bale has shown his physical commitment to any role as evidenced by The Machinist (2004). Here he loses a tremendous amount of weight to play the drug addicted brother.

The Fighter was also up for a slew of other awards including Best Original Screenplay, Best Achievement in Editing, Best Direction and Best Picture.

Based on real-life brothers, the story here is more than heart-wrenching. Torn between achieving his goals and alienating his family, Micky must decide what is more important to him. Dicky's drug-addiction keeps him from following through on his promises to help Micky train which leads to strife between the brothers.

Throughout the film, an HBO documentary crew is filming Dicky's "comeback". Dicky never lets anyone forget that he used to be the champion before his brother became "the pride of Lowell". The film toys back-and-forth between Dicky's desperate attempt to make a return to his former glory, and his obligations to his brother.

Amy Adams adds exciting tension as Micky's girlfriend who sees through his family's "support" as nothing less than self-gratifying gestures.

With marvellous acting, directing and story, The Fighter is the total package of a film.

Rating: 4/5