You were the pride of Lowell. You were my hero, Dickie.

The Fighter
January 20, 2011 (Australian release date)
Dir: David O. Russell

This review was written for Watch Out For

The Fighter is a film that may take a few days to sink in. On the surface David O.Russell has given us a slick, extremely well crafted boxing film, but after contemplating the many layers and characters it’s pretty clear that The Fighter is a special film.

Telling the true story of brothers “Irish” Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) and Dickie Eklund (Christian Bale), The Fighter is set in Lowell, Massachusetts circa 1993. Dickie was once the glory of his hometown, having beaten Sugar Ray Leonard in the ring, but he now fills his days and his hands with a crack pipe.
In the background HBO are making a documentary on him, and what he initially believes to be a comeback story turns into an assaulting expose.

Younger brother Micky has always lived in Dickie’s shadow, especially in the eyes of their mother Alice (Melissa Leo). He’s been used as a stepping stone, someone pushed into uneven fights to elevate other boxers, but when Dickie lands himself in prison again Micky decides, with the help of girlfriend Charlene (Amy Adams), that his time has finally come to fight for a championship.

This past week Christian Bale won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for this film and you can instantly see why. Bale literally steals the film from Wahlberg, who, despite playing the passive brother and character, really does lack the skills and screen presence for these more serious roles.

That’s not to say Wahlberg wasn’t dedicated to this film as both actor and producer; his four years of trying to get the film made and the physical training he endured for this role clearly paid off, and his boxing scenes are particularly strong. But it is Bale, with sunken eyes, hollow cheeks and a diminished colour on his face that drives the tension and drama that make The Fighter a solid and entertaining film.

Along with Bale’s exceptional performance, Melissa Leo (who also won for Best Supporting Actress at the Globes) plays an all too convincing middle aged, white trash woman who, surrounded by her bleached, permed daughters, casts judgements and claims hardships all with a constantly lit cigarette in her hand.

Amy Adams perhaps doesn’t fit in this film, she’s not entirely convincing as a college drop-out turned waitress who falls for Micky, but her performance is entertaining and humble.

What separates this film from so many sports movies is the family aspect. The Fighter is really the story of two brothers, their seemingly eternal struggle with each other, and their mother who despite her best intentions, never seems to make the right move.

The film delves into substance abuse, the effect this has on family members, and how hard it can be to turn your back on your family in order to help yourself. The more you look into The Fighter the more you will be rewarded.

The look of the film should also be noted. Director David O.Russell and Cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema utilise a faux televised effect for many of the fight scenes, making you feel as though you are watching actual archive footage of Micky in the ring. The contrast between these fight scenes and the everyday ones brings a renewed energy each time we return to the boxing ring, which could have otherwise felt tiresome and repetitive.

An enjoyable and worthwhile sports drama that focuses more on the family and less on the brawls, The Fighter is a crowd pleaser with some of the best ensemble acting of recent times. The story may be overused and tired but the direction is skilful and inspiring.

3.5 / 5