Based on the incredible true story of boxing legend ‘Irish’ Micky Ward, David O. Russell’s (Three Kings) The Fighter chronicles the up-hill struggle of an aging road-worker from Lowell Massachusetts, who’s boxing career saw him losing fights, being used as a stepping-stone for better fighters, and gave him no real prospects, as he attempts to better himself and establish himself as a true contender, despite being surrounded by turmoil, drugs, and a less than ideal training situation.
Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg, The Other Guys) begins the film as he spent most of his life; side-lined by his family, as the town worships his older brother Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale, The Dark Knight) for knocking down Sugar Ray Leonard in 1978 (about 10-15 years before the events of the movie), and he’s left basically alone; unable to properly train as his brother (who’s supposed to be his trainer) whittles away his life in a local crack-den.
Dicky’s crack habit becomes a major issue for Micky, his family, and the film; as it means Micky is largely going without a trainer, Dicky’s kids are often going without a father, and he’s letting the family down by both not helping Micky, and failing to turn up for possibly life changing events; but as he’s a member of the family, his mother Alice (Melissa Leo, 21 Grams) refuses to acknowledge what’s going on, and even though his addiction can lead to arguments, family punch-ups, and a whole lot of ill feeling, the family are too loyal to one another to do the hard thing, and make him quit.
It’s this loyalty that becomes possibly the main focus of the film, as when the family guilt Micky into fighting a man 20 pounds heavier than him (that’s over a stone and a half), he gets with a new girlfriend named Charlene (Amy Adams, Julie and Julia); who’s extremely brave to go anywhere near Micky’s overbearing family, and seven hard-nosed, family-orientated, sisters; and Dicky’s problems drag him into the courtroom, he’s forced to make a tough decision; continue as he’s been doing (and risk letting the family hold him back for the rest of his life), or take the advice of his father (Jack McGee, Rescue Me), his girlfriend, and his other trainer (Mickey O’Keefe; who’s portrayed in the film by Micky’s real life trainer, Mickey O’Keefe), and break out on his own, with new management, a new team, and hopefully better fights (which could help his career, but effectively end his relationship with his family).
From reading the above summary it should be clear that The Fighter isn’t simply a boxing movie; and doesn’t come entirely in the same vein as the likes of underdog movies like Rocky, or even Cinderella Man; as with all that was happening in Micky’s life, despite it revolving around the training, picking fights, and learning how to out-box different opponents, the drama outside the ring often eclipses the drama inside the ring, and provides an amazingly engrossing backdrop that you can’t help but be drawn into.
Similarly the fights; which may be overpowered on the whole by Micky’s family drama; are also just as engrossing, perfectly re-enacted , and amazingly tense (a feat which was achieved by actually throwing a good deal of punches, and having the bouts filmed by the same HBO cameras, and camera crews, that film the real boxing matches on HBO), and manage to become so, as Micky’s real-life fights provided an amazing spectacle where no-one watching could ever be sure of the outcome until the final announcement.
And the whole movie is simply rammed full of near faultless performances (as evident by the 3 Oscars nominations The Fighter has received for acting; going to Christian Bale for Best Supporting Actor, and both Melissa Leo and Amy Adams for Best Supporting Actress) that make it seem all the more real; as Mark Wahlberg trained for five years in order to both look the part, and be able to effectively handle himself in the ring, and gives a solid showing throughout that may in fact be one of his best ever performances. Although the talent and passion he has shown for the project is currently getting overshadowed by Christian Bale; who’s turn as the crack-addicted trainer Dicky Eklund has to be seen to be believed; as his portrayal of Eklund is simply flawless, down to his overly chatty manner, facial ticks, and the way in which he simply can’t stay still for even a few seconds (meaning he’s a heart-breaking joy to watch, and that it will be a true travesty if he doesn’t win an Academy Award for this performance).
Melissa Leo and Amy Adams are both excellent in their respective parts as Micky’s mother (the slightly sad woman who seems to favour Dicky over his younger brother, yet cares about nothing more than doing right by her family), and his girlfriend Charlene (the college dropout who advises him to break from his family commitments, and isn’t afraid to mix it up with both Alice, and Micky’s seven burly sisters), and are well complimented by the women playing Micky’s sisters (a collection of actresses who together form the equivalent of an extremely intimidating, quick to violence, sewing circle), and Jack McGee who’s impressively convincing turn as Micky’s father sees him caught between two views; by hoping his son can live up to his full potential, but not wanting to disappoint his wife; and has been highly praised by both the real George Ward, and his family, for being so realistic.
Realism is also something that shines throughout the whole film, and is evident in even the tiniest of details; from returning to Lowell to film the movie, getting apartments and houses just down the street from those previously used by the family, using the actual gym that Micky trained in, and having O’Keefe playing himself (just as Sugar Ray Leonard does in a small cameo); which all combine to make the film completely real; less like a movie, and more like a window into the life of Micky Ward.
In short, the direction is great, the performances are stunning, the detail’s amazing, the fights are breath-taking, and The Fighter as a whole is simply brilliant; it’s a boxing movie that’s a true 1-2 knockout; as it’s bound to be enjoyed by both male and female viewers, thanks to its tense fights and shocking drama, and although it isn’t the favourite for Best Film at this year’s Oscars, it’s easily one of the greatest boxing movies ever made, and would be my choice for best film of the year… it really is that good.
The Fighter is out now in both the U.S. and U.K., and you can see its official trailer here.
