The Fighter

David O Russell’s The Fighter is a very well made conventional feel good sports film. I will admit initially I was hesitant to see it. I am not the biggest sports film fan as I feel like they are all pretty much the same. Boxing movies are no exception. I feel like after Rocky 1 and 2, we saw the two ways a boxing movie could end and we have been on repeat ever since. (The obvious exception is Million Dollar Baby and I would have been really surprised if this movie ended the same way.)

The good; the acting is very strong. Christian Bale was exceptional as the drug addled Dicky, brother of Mark Wahlberg’s Mickey Ward. Bale is always like a chameleon in film and this is no exception. The tole this guys body must take jumping between roles Is insane. I was a hug fan of John Hawke’s understated performance as Teardrop in Winters Bone, but I can see why the Academy voted for Bale as he has much showier performance. Melissa Leo is outstanding as Mickey and Dickey’s overbearing terrible mother. The only drawback to her part is she is so despicable it was painful every time she was on screen. Amy Adams plays Mickey’s headstrong girlfriend and is a perfect foil to Mickey’s family. I am starting to think it is impossible for Amy Adams to not be charming and wonderful in every role she takes on.

With all these great performances we get to one bad point. All of these supporting roles are incredibly strong and scene stealing. They make it easy to forget about Mark Wahlberg in the title role of The Fighter, Mickey Ward. He plays his part well and I understand his performance. But when the protagonist of the film is so passive and easily manipulated it can be frustrating. Especially in the midst of all these powerhouses.

The movie is fairly conventional as a sports film. It hits all of the notes you would expect. But it does do it quite well and the ending worked for me big time. Some of the drug abuse storyline with Bale is pretty tame, but it is ok since it is not the main focus of what this movie is. It’s about family and it is most importantly about believing in yourself. While not perfect, you would have to be pretty damn cynical to not be moved by the finale.