The Fighter (2010)

The Fighter (2010)
Studio: Relativity Media and Mandeville Films
Theatrical Release Date: December 10, 2010
Director: David O. Russell
Rated R
Genre: Drama

By James Klein

David O'Russell's newest film is the true story about struggling Irish boxer Mickey Ward who had to not only fight his opponents in the ring but also fight with his mother, sisters and his crack head older brother Dicky who was once a promising boxer in the 80's but threw it all away for drugs. Micky Ward is suppose to be the central character in this film but the movie focuses just as much on his brother Dicky and his overbearing chain-smoking mother than it does on Micky.

The film wastes no time at all in any set up and jumps into the life of  Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) who is being trained by his older brother Dicky (Christian Bale) for a welterweight fight. Dicky is never really around as he is always at the local crack house sleeping with various women while his brother quietly trains alone. Micky's mother (Melissa Leo) always has favored Dicky and believes he can do no wrong and when HBO comes to town wanting to do a piece on Dicky, she believes it is all about his "comeback" when in reality it is about crack addiction. Amy Adams plays Charlene, a bartender who falls for Micky one night out of nowhere and becomes his main squeeze. She becomes his voice and sticks up for Micky whenever she can and is the voice of reason throughout the film. When Dicky is arrested for assault and drug charges, Micky starts to train on his own and becomes a better fighter with the help of Charlene.

The biggest problem with the movie is the screenplay. I was never emotionally drawn in to Micky or his issues. His character never changes; he just seems like a drip and never once does he stand up to anyone and when you think he finally does, he ends up compromising. It doesn't help that they cast Mark Wahlberg who just isn't a very good actor. He isn't bad, he's just...there. When given a good script (Boogie Nights, The Departed) he's fine but not in this case. But to be fair, they could have cast Gary Oldman and still the film wouldn't have any emotion at all due to this character. Even his romance with Adams isn’t very believable. Why does she fall for this guy? What is it about him that she is drawn to?

Now...the character of Dicky is much more entertaining. Christian Bale gives easily his best performance and it would be a disgrace if he isn't nominated. Unlike Micky, Dicky loves his brother and is proud of him but loves his drugs even more. He doesn't get upset over not seeing his baby when dragged to jail but gets upset when he finds out that Micky isn't going to train with him anymore. Dicky's character actually goes thru changes, thus the audience cares and roots for his character. Bale transformed his body yet again and just looks sickly and skinny. Hard to believe that he played Batman.

Melissa Leo also gives a knock out performance as their mother who thinks she's doing the best thing for her sons but doesn't quite get what is going on. She too is just amazing to watch. Character actor Jack McGee plays the brothers stepfather who also gives a great performance. Amy Adams who I usually don't like is also very good. I think maybe Adams is just in a lot of shitty romantic comedies that I can't stand so seeing her in this has turned me into a semi-fan.

Is The Fighter the best boxing movie ever made? Don't make me laugh. Is the film worth seeing? Sure, it isn't a bad film per se if you can get past the script and Wahlberg's dull performance. I would say the film is a must see for the remainder of the cast, especially Bale.