THE FIGHTER

With Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, Amy Adams, Mickey O'Keefe, Jack McGee

Written by Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson, Keith Dorrington
Directed by David O. Russell

Boxing movies usually focus on the underdog, the hopeful, or the fallen champion clawing their way back. Based on real lives, this gritty and superbly acted film looks at the Irish-American boxing family of Micky Ward and his half brother Dicky Ecklund - the former gunning for that elusive title shot, and the latter fallen from grace, once a promising fighter who hit the skids laden with problems including drug addiction. Family tension grows as Micky wants to break away from the family clique driving his failing boxing career, Dicky's antics reaching breaking point.

The Fighter reveals an incredibly realistic working class family drama amid a boxing theme, and earned Christian Bale and Melissa Leo Best Supporting Actor Oscars. But I often have a problem with the decision to label lead and a supporting roles, as Bale's part is as much a lead as that of the more understated Wahlberg around which the story revolves. Bale steals the show hands down and just because he isn't the hero, why should he not be deemed the lead, as his character is the one causing all the tension and friction?

5 / B
- Paul Blom

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- A - B - C

A: Multiple Viewing Potential
B: Deserves Another Look
C: Once Should Suffice