The Fighter

Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is The Fighter. Directed by David O. Russell. Written by Scott Silver, Paul Tamsay & Eric Johnson. Screen Story by Paul Tamsay, Eric Johnson & Keith Dorrington.

100th review countdown....#96

MPAA Rating: R for language throughout, drug content, some violence and sexuality.

Runtime: 115 min

Cast

Mark Wahlberg - Mickey Ward

Christian Bale - Dicky Eklund

Amy Adams - Charlene Fleming

Melissa Leo - Alice Ward
   
Mickey O'Keefe - Himself

Jack McGee - George Ward


Hollywood is certainly no stranger to the "Based on a true story" genre. Most of the time they get it wrong. That's right I said wrong. The powers that be insist on making our minds for us when they make these pictures. Mostly by sensationalizing the actual story rather than telling the actual story that inspired it's cinematic creation in the first place. They don't believe that we can embrace the journey that this real life individual took to get where he or she ended up.

The alternative is to "bend" the truth a little to serve the needs of pure entertainment. A lot of the time it accomplishes it's goal and an entertaining picture is made. I however, find it a bit troubling that producers and studios go this route at all. The defense would be to make a great film that people will love. I see it more as a lack of faith with the true elements that gave you the inspiration to tell the story at the outset.

There are occasions where a film that's based on a true story or events is so good that you don't care if certain aspects are overblown, exaggerated or even fabricated for the sake of the project. The Social Network immediately comes to mind as a perfect example. The Fighter is another example with a very big difference. The main story of The Fighter is very cardboard and predictable at the roots. What makes this film an instant winner is hands down is the performance of one man.

That man is Christian Bale.

The Fighter follows the events of journeyman boxer Mickey Ward and his very large and dysfunctional family in Lowell Massachusetts. Mickey's a talented fighter who's under the thumb of his manager mother Alice and crackhead trainer brother Dicky. His undying loyalty to his family clouds his vision of a possible bright future in the sport that he loves so much. You are taken through Mickey's struggles in and out of the ring as he tries to pick up the pieces of his broken family while attempting to make a name for himself in the boxing world.

This movie is filled with tremendous performances by a group of amazing actors but the spotlight shines brightest on Bale. His portrayal as Dicky is indescribably powerful. He's got everything down to the slightest detail. From the Boston accent to the physical mannerisms that crack heads are known for. I know that we are mostly familiar with Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne but this man is an actor's actor. He gets down and dirty with the roles he takes. Need proof? I have several examples of memorable characters he's played in the past.

Patrick Bateman in American Psycho. 

Trevor Reznick in The Machinist.

Alfred Borden in The Prestige.

Melvin Purvis in Public Enemies. 

If these don't convince you of his ability then just like Flavor Flav says...."I can't do nothin for ya man!"

He tops all of those performances in this movie. Which is both a good and bad thing. It's great for him because he continues to showcase how great he is on screen. It's bad because he steals the show from three other great performances.

Mark Wahlberg looks nothing like the real Mickey Ward but you have no problem believing that he's a struggling fighter trying to get out of his ring rut. You see early on that his biggest opponent in the film is his family. They're not intentionally doing wrong by him, they just refuse to see the world from outside their island. By doing that they hold Mickey back and his loyalty keeps him from making his own mind. Which segues nicely to the head of the control factor.

Alice Ward.

Melissa Leo has been on a roll since her Best Actress nomination for Frozen River back in 2008. Since then she's had a starring role on HBO's Katrina drama Treme. Among several other projects. She's an extremely talented woman with unlimited range which is on full display here. Leo plays Alice with a gritty toughness that a white trash mom with 9 kids needs in order to survive. Her life is devoted to the success of her two fighter sons and she doesn't let anyone step in the way of that. Just like Dicky, her intentions with Mickey are meant with his best interests at heart but she's so blinded by outside influence that it stunts Mikey's potential. With characters like this you would get the feeling that Alice is intentionally bringing his son down but Leo is able to separate that from her performance.

Expect another Best Actress nomination for this one.

Finally you have the stunning Amy Adams as Mickey's future and current wife Charlene. Just like everyone else in this film, Charlene is one tough cookie. Adams still finds away to keep her sexuality while maintaining her raging bull spirit. She sees the folly in Mickey's family and is more than willing to play the voice of reason. She's not afraid of telling it like it is and throwing down if that's what it takes.

These performances make up for what is a very cut and dry and rather lack luster come from behind story. Don't get me wrong. It's extremely uplifting to see Mickey get his rewards in the end. I just didn't see the dynamics that other heroics stories have produced in the past. Despite of the lack of "character" so to speak, the story that is told is told exquisitely. It moves swiftly and still keeps it's emotion. The boxing scenes are fast, furious and well displayed. Of course there are all after thoughts once you see Bale on screen when the first frame appears. From that point on you won't care what film you're seeing.

You'll just want to see more of Dicky.

He's got a Best Supporting Oscar coming his way. Take this one to the bank. The only regret is that since he's not the top name on the marquee of this film he can't be considered for Best Actor. This is a shame but who knows.

Stranger stuff has happened come Oscar time.

On the 5 star scale. The Fighter gets 4.5 stars with a "Worth Every Penny" recommendation. This is another film that has potential for Best Picture. I'm sure it will get nominated but it has no chance to win. Not with some big time flicks yet to debut like True Grit and The King's Speech. We'll just have to wait and see if this movie has a "fighting" chance.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

That's a wrap for today. Up next is Tron Legacy.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"