Review - The Fighter (2010)

The Fighter dramatizes the true story of Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) a professional boxer whose career is spiralling after consecutive losses. Trained by his older, crack addicted, half brother, Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale), a former professional boxer whose peak of success was knocking Sugar Ray Leonard down. Micky is close to giving up his career and retiring, however after meeting Charlene Fleming (Amy Adams) and with support from his family, Micky manages to overcome his troubles at home and have one last shot at a title, an opportunity his brother never had and that he will probably never see again. 

The Fighter is an inspiring true story filmed beautifully and brutally. With fantastic performances from the cast all round, with particularly great performances from Christian Bale as the troubled crack addicted brother caught up in the past, and Melissa Leo as Micky's pushy mother. The ensemble work together brilliantly bringing a grounded, honest dramatisation of the story. Whilst there are not as many specific fighting sequences, those that are present are film brilliantly and unlike other boxer films such as Cinderella Man, the fights are shot as they would be seen on television as well as close ups on the fight. The sequences give a varied perspective of the fights themselves and ultimately the characters.

Brilliant performances and some beautiful cinematography and storytelling make this film a must see and is most definitely one of the better films based on the sport of boxing. Up with Rocky and Raging Bull.