The Fighter
Director: David O. Russell
Starring: Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg
Details: US/115mins 15A
Wahlberg is local hero, Mickey Ward. Seen as a bit of a journeyman fighter, he's never really gotten his shot because of poor management from his mother (Leo), and often absent coaching from his - former boxing star - half-brother, Dickie (Bale). Mickey is constantly in the middle of an argument about how his career should be going and more often than not things seem to benefit Dickie. But when his brother goes to jail, and Ward begins dating the strong-willed Charlotte (Adams), he's inspired to get back into the ring. Dickie may be a junkie, but he also taught Mickey everything he knows about boxing, so he must decide whether or not he needs his brother in his corner for his final shot.
'O Russell has always been a good director of actors, creating an atmosphere for thriving creativity on his sets. He absolutely nails the family dynamic in The Fighter, where you don't for one second question that these people are related. The arguments, the making up, the physical confrontations, all of it is dealt with in an impressively unfussy, natural manner. The boxing matches themselves are staged using HBO cameras from the 90s for authenticity, as the director tries to make you feel like you're actually watching a pay per view event - that too works seamlessly within the film.
The build-up to the final fight with scouser Shea Neary, however is a geographic cluster-f**k. The supposedly Ward-hating crowd are wearing Irish t-shirts; Neary's accent veers between Scottish and Irish; while the press conference takes place in front a British flag. American's may not have noticed it, but audiences this side of the pond will find it disconcerting to an otherwise unspoiled production.
Walhberg is the eye of the storm through-out, always calm despite the carnage going on around him. He leaves the grandstanding for the most part to Bale, who pays Dickie with intrinsic charisma despite an obvious degenerative streak.
Ignoring the grating flaw towards the end, this is a powerfully built, heartfelt film that makes the potentially clichéd feel not just real, but wonderfully stirring.
Review by Mike Sheridan
Your Comments
Alex
The Fighter' is high powerful film i never seen its less about boxing, see more about his family
Posted 03/01/2011 21:54:54
noel
boring insipid dull movie from a director normally worth watching mark wahlberg haming up up for all her is worth, why give this guy work when he cant ast and will just drag your movie down, as for bale another ooh look i can act so ill lose weight again to deflect your attention from my bad acting and one note performance, this is a poor poor film, the boxing scenes are turgid at best, this is a movie so full of cliches that im suprised that the whole thing didnt sink under the weight. its on line to watch for free so watch it there rather than wasting your cash in the cinema.
Posted 25/01/2011 18:14:41
Danny Escubar
I was hoping to get some insight into this film from real movie fans - the two above can't even spell.
Posted 01/02/2011 15:06:52
JohnMartin
Tip of the cap Danny, tip of the cap...
Posted 01/02/2011 22:10:35
e3365
just saw this movie and really loved it! The acting from bale and adams are both very worthy of their nominations! I disagree with the above comments, the director told a very real human story and avoided the usual impatient boxing champ cliche
Posted 03/02/2011 01:08:27
clinteastwood
Spot on Danny. Noel needs to spend less time using his MS Word thesaurus and read what he's written before posting it online. Drivel.
Posted 05/02/2011 17:22:03
ha ha
The fighter is a great film, would def recommend it! Its a nice light hearted, feel good movie and has got some nice boxing action also, lots of nice pecs to check out!!
Posted 06/02/2011 20:02:05
Tyler Durden
"The build-up to the final fight with scouser Shea Neary, however is a geographic cluster-f**k. The supposedly Ward-hating crowd are wearing Irish t-shirts; Neary's accent veers between Scottish and Irish; while the press conference takes place in front a British flag. American's may not have noticed it, but audiences this side of the pond will find it disconcerting to an otherwise unspoiled production." Mike, 1. the press conference takes place in front a British flag because the fight takes place in London. The flag contains both names "Neary and Ward" - it is not a promotion for either boxer but for the location itself - The Olympia exhibition centre , Kensington, London. 2. The supposedly Ward-hating crowd are wearing Irish t-shirts because they are supporting the Scouser, Neary, who technically is the "Irish" boxer in this bout - hence the weird accent from actor Molinari (a Yank), and the name Shea Neary is also a big clue. Ward, although he fought under the nickname "Irish", was American; Neary, a Scouser, was taken as the "home" fighter, with the Liverpool-Ireland link being quite strong in sports. 3. Needless to say I did not find it "disconcerting" whatsoever.
Posted 09/02/2011 20:34:02
Barry
Jesus, all the film needed was some narration from Tyler and we were set. It was a bit messy, and a bit confusing. Still a great movie though!
Posted 09/02/2011 23:40:31
curlysue
I didnt enjoy this file at all, very very confusing, I think it should be called the drugie and not the fighter. Best thing since rocky my ASS !!
Posted 14/02/2011 15:00:39
noel
clinteastwood: sorry if my little words had you scratching your small intellect, i promise i will use smaller words next time.... As for the odd spelling mistake thats my fault and i will try harder next time to live up to your high standards.....
Posted 14/02/2011 15:37:11
eddiec
"Mike, 1. the press conference takes place in front a British flag because the fight takes place in London. The flag contains both names "Neary and Ward" - it is not a promotion for either boxer but for the location itself - The Olympia exhibition centre , Kensington, London. 2. The supposedly Ward-hating crowd are wearing Irish t-shirts because they are supporting the Scouser, Neary, who technically is the "Irish" boxer in this bout - hence the weird accent from actor Molinari (a Yank), and the name Shea Neary is also a big clue. Ward, although he fought under the nickname "Irish", was American; Neary, a Scouser, was taken as the "home" fighter, with the Liverpool-Ireland link being quite strong in sports. 3. Needless to say I did not find it "disconcerting" whatsoever." I was going to post the same thing then I saw your post. Clearly the reviewer didn't do his homework. Shea Neary?! Of course the Liverpool Irish were there in support.
Posted 16/02/2011 00:16:20
Barry
haha I love how 2 people have gone into massive details about the dodgy accent and set-up of the final fight. "Of course the Liverpool Irish were there in support." That's a MASSIVE assumption on the directors part to think the audience would get that.
Posted 16/02/2011 03:20:27
Tyler Durden
"That's a MASSIVE assumption on the directors part to think the audience would get that." ----------------- @Barry - it takes months to write, film, edit, promote, screen, test, and finally release a movie - in all that time do you think people as experienced as Bale, Wahlberg and director Russell would make such a categorical mistake as to have Ward's own supporters boo him in his pivotal title match? ----------------- If you have a better explanation, by all means, lay it on us...
Posted 16/02/2011 13:37:46
Barry
Yes. Yes I do. Again, I LOVED the movie but the accent thing WAS annoying. 2 lines explaining Neary wouldve cleared everything up. Also, as good as Three Kings is, I Heart Huckabees is terrible. so again YES
Posted 16/02/2011 23:25:54
shakyj
Great movie. One of the best I have seen in a long time. Great acting and camera work. Would defiantly recommend going to see this movie.
Posted 10/03/2011 20:46:39
chell3
thought the ending was gonna be different but loved it ! very enjoyable
Posted 11/03/2011 21:05:29
damienmcd
I agree that Bale and Adams were spectacular but overall I was quite disappointed. A movie being billed as the "biggest boxing movie since Rocky" should really deliver a little more that a dull story about family squabbling. Was hoping for a little more action and the main event of Hart's final fight was rushed and lacklustre in my opinion.
Posted 18/04/2011 16:10:49
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Your Reviews...
Excellent - Gary
This film is Brilliant and not just for boxing fans the film is based on a true story of Boston Fighter Mickey ward... MORE11/03/2011 18:10:00Great Performances - Chloe
This is a good film that is made great by some superb performances. The casting really was key here! The film follows... MORE07/03/2011 18:35:37
Punching above its weight - pandabat
While Bale, Adams and Wahlberg (along with the lesser known cast) provide performances that are above and beyond what's... MORE03/03/2011 13:36:00
Not the best - but good enough - Slick
Y'know the hype but it's off beam, and with Wahlberg starring a disappointment. No Raging Bull or Rocky....not even... MORE14/02/2011 01:00:56
