The Fighter is a film about Micky Ward – a boxer who became one of the best in the sport and well known for his trilogy of fights with Arturo Gatti. But before Micky landed in this epic battle, he first went through tough family and professional problems which are chronicled in the film. Mark Wahlberg is the boxer Micky Ward, Christian Bale plays his half-brother Dicky Eklund, Melissa Leo is their domineering manager/mom and Amy Adams is Ward’s girlfriend Charlene.
While the movie is all about the success of Micky Ward as a professional boxer, the people around him practically take over the story. Mark Wahlberg gives a fine performance as he shows the struggles of a young man torn between his family and the love of his life. However the perople bickering and fighting for his affection have stolen the show. Christian Bale gives an amazing body-altering performance that makes him the main focus whenever he’s in a scene. It doesn’t even matter if Wahlberg is the scene as the movement and words coming out of Bale are more than enough to make the scene great. The supporting characters (Leo and Adams) also give an impressive performance as they stand by their belief and convince the audience that their interests are the best for their fighter.
It’s a highly recommended movie even for non-boxers. It’s just a bit unfortunate that Mark Wahlberg doesn’t have a lot to work with in the film since the driving force of The Fighter is the supporting characters.
