Review 294: The Fighter
The film is a bio pic about boxer Micky Ward and follows Ward (Mark Wahlberg) who was a struggling boxer and has long been overshadowed by his older brother and trainer, Dicky (Christian Bale), a local legend who is now battling his own demons.
The explosive relationship between these two brothers threatens to take destroy them, but the importance of close family, blood ties and the only chance to prove themselves.
The plot is the classic story of the poor boy who makes good: starts off with nothing, encounters some ups and downs along the way and having overcome the obstacles until he finally wins. But what makes it stand out is the tension. We are constantly asking ourselves "Will he? Won't he?"
It's a very realistic film as it shows the ups and downs of Micky Ward's career as a boxer which didn't go smoothly as he thought it would. He was trying to realise his dream but he was stuck in his family life and Dicky was destroying himself by selling drugs.
In some ways The Fighter is period piece because it features loads of classic detail such as the Spanish film Belle Epoque, the 1990's style houses and porches with the wooden doors and mosquito screens.
Throughout the film we are mainly on Micky's side because he's genuinely a nice American guy who to succeed despite his surroundings.
It raises the question of loyalty: Should Micky stay faithful to the family or should he train with his brother.
Family: Micky's mother Alice (Melissa Leo) has had nine children and is very over protective and doesn't want them to leave despite the fact that they have all grown up. Micky's family in a way mirrors that of Italian mafia family.
Determination: The Fighter shows that even though we all get knocked down we have to get straight back up again.
Relationships: The Fighter is about family dynamics, Micky and Dicky's family is so close it's claustrophobic. The almost like the Corleone family since they work together and work together and know each others business. Plus there are seven sisters! No joke.
Director David O'Russell's direction is sensitive, the cinematography is brilliant, the production design is great, the lighting is terrific, the setting is beautiful, the costumes are terrific, the soundtrack is terrific, the boxing scenes are engaging, intensely shot, well choreographed and exciting, the use of stock footage in the boxing scenes is innovative, the sound effects are superb, the make is rich and the ending was superb.
The acting is sensational, Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Melissa Leo really sell the film and deliver some of the best acting of their career, all of their characters are broken in their own way, Micky wants to realise his own dreams, Dicky is trying to mend his destructive lifestyle, Alice is trying to keep the family together and Charlene (Amy Adams), Micky's girlfriend acts as Micky's moral, she believes in him and unlike the rest of the family she is detached enough to make her own decisions.
Also the rest of the cast is great.
The Fighter is a solidly entertaining, brutal and moving boxing movie, 5/5.
The Anonymous Critic.
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