The Fighter

"I'm the one who's fighting. Not you, not you, and not you."

Micky Ward (Wahlberg) is a boxer living in the shadow of his older brother, Dicky Eklund (Bale).  Dicky is a local legend, the "Pride of Lowell," after a legendary showdown with Sugar Ray Leonard.  Dicky serves as Micky's trainer, despite having different boxing styles, while their mother, Alice Ward (Leo), is his manager.  Dicky is unpredictable, due to his heavy drug use, and Micky's boxing career suffers.

As Dicky's drug use increases, Micky begins to rethink his boxing career.  He begins dating local bartender, Charlene (Adams), who wants Micky to dream bigger.  With his family alienating anyone willing to help, including Micky's other trainer Mickey O'Keefe (O'Keefe), what will Micky choose: family and his career?


The film is based on the real-life account of boxer Micky Ward and his older, half-brother Dicky Eklund.  Both men were involved in the film, and appear during the credits of the film.  Mark Wahlberg is the star of the film, and delivers a fine performance... but he is constantly upstaged by Christian Bale.  Bale dives into the character, and spent significant time with Dicky Eklund to be able to accurately portray him and his mannerisms.  You can't look away, every time Bale is on screen he takes all of the focus.  He definitely deserved all the accolades for the part, and clearly deserved the Oscar for this part (which he received).

The other stand-out performances are the female leads.  Melissa Leo, won an Oscar for her role as Alice Ward.  While Bale is mesmerizing, Leo is trashy and abrasive.  She is not a character you enjoy seeing on screen.  I'm not particularly impressed with the actress, who comes off as trashy both on and off screen.  Amy Adams plays against type as Charlene, shedding her squeaky clean reputation to play a tough, street-smart woman.  She is good, but I prepare sweet Amy.

An excellent film, that is worth checking into.  Yes, it is similar to other sports movies, and rather predictable, especially if happen to follow boxing, but it works here.

The Fighter (2010) 116 minutes
Rating: R for language throughout, drug content, some violence and sexuality
Director: David O. Russell
Starring: Mark Wahlberg as Micky Ward
Christian Bale as Dicky Eklund
Amy Adams as Charlene Fleming
Melissa Leo as Alice Ward
Mickey O'Keefe as Mickey O'Keefe
Jack McGee as George Ward