Another film gunning at a big selection at this years Oscars is The Fighter. Like the titular character it's quite the underdog but I wouldn't be surprised if we get an upset victory or two...
The Fighter tells the true story of Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) - an up and coming boxer trained by his brother Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale) - a once shining star in the boxing world after once knocking down Sugar Ray Leonard.
Eklund is totally strung out on crack and is being filmed by an HBO team for a documentary on 'his comeback', or more accurately drug addiction. Ward is also helped by his slightly pushy mother Alice (Melissa Leo).
The Fighter is absolutely superb, with great performances from the entire cast - especially Bale who gives one of the turns of his career as Dicky. Leo is also brilliant as Alice, as is Amy Adams as Micky's girlfriend Charlene.
There are many themes similar to Oscar here - boxing, real life, inspirational but it's not an easy road we are taken on by director David O. Russell (Three Kings). The family dynamic is incredibly dysfunctional - the drug addict brother, the selfish mother and the slightly mad 7 sisters, the kind of darkness at times is reminiscent of a Darren Aronofsky piece (which isn't surprising as he executive produces).
Another great performance is from Wahlberg in the lead role. People seem to forget what a brilliant actor he can be. He may pick some dodgy films from time like The Happening but his turns in The Departed, The Lovely Bones and now The Fighter have all been award worthy and he was totally overlooked this time.
The fight sequences are superb, and like all great boxing films you will be on the edge your seat for the final bout.
Highly recommended.
*****
A truly superb film with amazing performances from the whole cast, especially Christian Bale who must be a lock for Best Supporting Actor for his crazed turn as Dicky. Emotional, heart warming and dark. I wasn't believing this when I saw the posters but this really is the best boxing film since Rocky Balboa's prime!
1 comment:
I'll be honest, this film just doesn't interest me in the slightest! I'm not sure why but nothing about it grabs my attention and even the trailer went on too long! Having said that, thank you for mentioning the Darren Aronofsky connection - I had no idea!
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