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Sunday, February 27, 2011

The Fighter

A still from the movie 
Critic's Rating:  ***1/2
Cast: Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg, Amy Adams
Direction: David O Russell
Genre: Action
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Readers Rating: ****1/2
More from The Fighter
Photogallery
Official Website
Story: A story of two half-brothers who try to create history in the boxing ring, the film is based on a real life story of Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) who wants to rise above his status of a brawler: a boxer who is used as a stepping stone to set up a fight with better boxers. He tries to pry himself away from his dysfunctional family with the help of his girlfriend Charlene (Amy Adams), but can't cut ties from his junkie brother cum trainer, Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale).

Movie Review: The film isn't another Rocky, even as Micky and Dicky are no superstars in the ring. The power of The Fighter lies more in its moving story about family pressures and family bonding than the histrionics in the boxing ring. Of course there is all the mandatory blood-letting and the unpredictable last minute victories that make all films on boxing a thrilling watch. But watching Micky win and lose isn't the highpoint of this film. Watching him try to fight and fit into his demanding, obsessive and edgy family is truly enthralling. Much as he wants, Micky can never turn his back to the hell-raisers who may not be having the best intentions.... Or so Micky thinks, specially when his protective and nurturing girlfriend tries to present a whole new perspective.

And the reason why Micky can't let go is because of his maverick half-brother, Dicky, who is a has-been, a single dad, and a confused crackhead who could lose his hold on life any day. Kudos to Christian Bale for completely re-inventing himself as a shadow of a man who has the spirit of a hero. Did he ever play Batman?

Gritty drama that keeps you glued, The Fighter is a heady ode to the family structure.

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