Review: THE FIGHTER

“Understand the possibility.” A common phrase that is applicable to almost any situation in films or real life. “The Fighter” takes a gritty story of a brutal sport and produces a resplendent film that encircles the audience with authenticity. Director David O. Russell (Three Kings, I Heart Huckabees) himself takes on the task of ‘understanding the possibility’ of the greatness of this film by adhering to a simple story told with honesty and emotion that allows the spectators to embrace the characters for who they truly are, not who they should be. The dialect and dialogue uttered is very heartfelt and genuine by the entire cast.

The narrative revolves around two brothers and their relationship to each other and to the sport of boxing which is based on a true story. Mark Wahlberg (The Departed, The Lovely Bones) is at the helm as the main character ‘Irish’ Mickey Ward, who is attempting to balance his family life and his struggling boxing career. He is known as a ‘stepping stone’, which in the boxing world means you are never going anywhere.  His mother, Alice Ward played by Melissa Leo (Frozen River), is his manager and promoter.  And, caught in the midst of this family dynamic, along with 7 sisters, is the crack-addicted brother Dicky Eklund, masterfully portrayed by Christian Bale (The Machinist, American Psycho).

Dicky is making a documentary with HBO and the crew is following him around all over the town of Lowell, MA. He is known as the ‘The Pride of Lowell’ for his flamboyant fight with Sugar Ray Leonard back in the day, and his mediocre boxing career. Mickey is just trying to get by and has to deal with his mother that unfortunately manages his boxing career rather poorly. Then Mickey meets Charlene Fleming, played by Amy Adams (Junebug, Julie and Julia) and his life, and those close to him, seems to evolve in a new direction from there. Charlene helped him to not just understand, but to embrace the possibilities.  A notion that appears to elude the rest of the family because they are invisible to them. Despite his love for his family, and especially his brother Dicky, who Mickey looks to as his brother/trainer/hero/friend, Mickey makes decisions that carry him forward.

Wahlberg does a solid job as Mickey, but it almost seems as if he slipped into a role that was relatively safe for him to play. And again, displayed his need for a stronger director (ie: Scorsese). You do feel for his character and cheer him on and want him to win throughout. Ultimately, that seems more for the actual story than the actor portrayal. Adams seems to step out of her comfort zone and is very believable as Charlene. She works well in her banter with the other actors with her quick and accurate delivery of her lines. Leo was fantastic and is worthy of supporting nominations for her role as Alice, but the justly conspicuous performance was by Bale. Bale distinguishes himself as the best contender for any award this year by immersing himself into the life of a drug-addicted convict as if he hung out in crack houses for months doing research for this role. He is the epitome of ‘understanding the possibility’ by taking a somewhat unlikeable role and turning into a performance that will not soon be rivaled in the supporting actor field.

‘The Fighter’ will definitely land a blow to your heart as it hits you in the stomach with its realism. A simple story of a man, his family, and his career. Maybe not so simple, but well done, and far more interesting than just another boxing movie. On an end note…It is recommended that the audience hang around for about 60 seconds at the end of the film. You will be glad you did, just as satisfied as you will be to have seen this film.

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars