When you have a certain genre of film that's packed with cliches, it's hard for a film in that genre to truely stand out as a classic, in this case, sports films, and in this case; David O Russel's 'The Fighter', does it's best to stand out, not only as a great boxing film, but as one of the premier films of the year. With powerful drama, suspense, acting, characters and well shot sequences, The Fighter is a film worthy of the many award nominations (and deserved wins) it had. So, for the sake of cliche...(sigh) Lets get ready to Rumble!
This true story follows up and commer boxer 'Irish' Micky Ward, a fighter who has potential, but by hook or crook, is held back by his family, including shovanistic (if that's the spelling), crack addict brother Dicky and controling mother Alice. With a dynamic like this, we are far more interested by what goes on outside the ring than what goes on inside. The fact that Micky is living in his brothers spotlight (Dicky was an ex-boxer who knocked down sugar Ray Leanard), that Alice clearly favours Dicky over Micky, how even the mildest act of breaking away by Micky is met with uproar from his family, how Dicky's addiction impairs his ability to help his brother when it counts, all these elements make us invested in the story and characters. Micky is so held back and overcomes so many obstacles, that when he wins in the end, you're feeling his jubilation and you're given the feel-good ending you need after all the turbulance. This is a story that'll have you hooked and rooting for the protagonist as all films should.
Now the matter of this being 'just another boxing film'. True there are the cliches of the hero overcomming all odds to achive his dreams, just liks the Rocky films. And there is complaint that even in the modern era, it doesn't hold the sense of cynicism that the great 'Raging Bull' held. But there's something to counteract the arguements of the nay Sayers. Unlike Rocky, this is a true story, all these so called cliches actually happened, so why take them out? And this isn't just any other feel good sports film, there's a grittyness to it, as is conveyed by the stagnant environment of Lowell, Massachusetts, a bleak setting with dull colouring all around. And the character of Dicky provides plenty of darkness, with his addiction digging him into a pit of hopelessness, having to steal his brothers spotlight to feel great again. Don't think of this as just another sports movie, it's way better (excluding Raging Bull)!
Director O Russell provides good direction (redundant!). The fight scenes are well shot, building suspense, putting the viewer in the midst of the battle, experiencing every punch, knockdown...well that's it. The fight scenes were shot using the same cameras HBO used to film Wards fights, creating a stylish realism of a 1990s boxing match. Scenes such as Dicky reanacting his Knock down of Sugar Ray, in a crackhouse, is filmed perfectly, slow motion used at the right moments to capture either the majesty or the brutality of the moment. This is truely O Russells finest work.
Sure there's drama, realism and direction, but the most praised thing in this movie is the acting. I know it's the obvious but I feel it must be mentioned in a 'Fighter' review, Christian Bale gives the best performance of his career, as Dicky. With a weasely Boston Accent, complete with punch drunk twang, there's also the constant spectacle, which is what the character of dicky is, a walking spectacle, Bale unleashes a blitzkrieg of smarmyness, brovado, sorrow, self pity and final jubilation all in one film, Bale is one of the few Oscar wins that truely deserved it. Mark Wahlberg as Micky is the lead, but is often discarded in the praise, which If any thing is good, it matches his character, while Bale gives the full force performance, soaking up the attention, it's Wahlberg who's restrained, conveying a man who just can't find it in him to stand up to his family. Amy Adams as Charlene, Micky's girlfriend, gives a decent performance, you feel she wants what's best for her man and you'd believe she could anyone the courage to make it to the top. Mellisa Leo as Alice is another great performance, you sense the love she has for her children, yet also her egotism and manipulation. As far as acting goes, you can't go wrong with this film, it's probably the most right acting you'll find.
In conclusion, 'The Fighter' is probably the 2nd greatest boxing movie ever (it ain't no Raging Bull), with everything you could want from a film, story, acting, direction...in the end it's a 5 star classic worthy of any praise it gets. If you'll remember this movie for anything, it'll be Bale's awesome performance, but don't let that be your only reason for watching.
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