This trailer was taken from: “The Fighter” Trailer HD (Video). September 21, 2010. Retrieved January 02, 2011, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwv7kT9P0mg&feature=channel
The Fighter
Directed By: David O Russell
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Melissa Leo
The Fighter is based on the true story of boxer Mickey Ward and how he had to overcome his family issues to win a boxing title. There has been a lot of Oscar talk for The Fighter with many comparing it to Rocky and tipping it as a dark horse to take home the best picture Oscar. Is the film a knockout?
The Fighter is the kind of film that you have seen countless times. It’s the underdog fighter overcoming difficulties leading to a title fight…what do you reckon the outcome will be? While the film is very predictable (although it is based on a true story so that’s a given) and clichéd there is no doubting the energy and acting talent present.
The main strength of The Fighter is its performances and without them this film would be nothing. Christian Bale dominates this film and while Mickey Ward may be the main character, it is his brother Dickey who possesses the most gripping story in the film. Christian Bale provides the film with its most humorous, engaging and memorable moments. Every time he is on screen you cannot take your eyes off the film. One aspect of the story is how Dickey dominates the Ward family and takes attention away from Mickey. The same can be said of the performances of Bale and Wahlberg. The film is about Wahlberg but ultimately it is Bale who gets all the attention. Amy Adams is also surprisingly strong as the love interest in the film and provides one of the films stronger performances. Melissa Leo is bound to get an Oscar nomination for her work in this film and she is also great as the mother who perhaps hasn’t recognized both her sons equally.
While it may be unfair to say Wahlberg gives the weakest performance, I say he gives the most subdued and therefore overshadowed performance. This is a film showered with over the top stereotypes and a film where much like boxing the actors with the heavier punch knock you out. Wahlberg is overshadowed by those around him and although he is perfectly likable in his lead role, you do not leave the film thinking of his performance. He may be a leading man but he is not leading this picture. Like I said it is not a bad performance it is just the least memorable. The film opens and closes with lines from Bale and while there is a strong case to say it’s about both brothers, whether intentional or not Bale steals the film.
Aside from the great performances there is nothing particularly special about The Fighter. The best scenes in the movie are made so much more powerful than they would be because they are being acted superbly. The film is almost three films in one, there is the story of an addict trying to beat an addiction that spoilt his career, the story of a boxer getting one last shot at the title and outgrowing his family as well as a love story. Ultimately the most interesting plot strand is the one of battling addiction and you do not see enough of Bale battling his addiction. The most interesting story and character arc in the film is given less time than it deserves. Ultimately I would have preferred a film that solely centered on Dickey, as with Bales performance that could have been a knockout. Some of the best scenes in the film involve Dickeys time in prison, however the scene that got to me the most is one that will most likely be ignored. When Dickey learns he wont be training his brother anymore he beats the lockers in frustration, we then see his son get up and do the same thing. A great subplot of a son perhaps looking up to a man he shouldn't is hinted at in one of the films more powerful moments. The film also has a great and energetic opening with Dickey clearly soaking up his local fame. Another powerful scene is when the whole family watch the HBO documentary on Dickey, that whole sequence stands out as one of the films finer emotional and dramatic moments.
The film is entertaining while its on, however you get the feeling that perhaps some of its running time could have been trimmed, with a subplot about Mickey’s estranged daughter lacking both the back-story and screen time to make any sort of impact. David O Russell directs the film perfectly fine however as mentioned aside from the performances there is nothing special about this film. The film is at its best when it is not focusing on boxing but on the characters and it is much more a character film than it is a boxing film. The ending is also a bit to neat and tidy for my liking and some may be put off by the over the top humour of the seven sisters. Also for this type of movie it is not as “heart warming” or “feel good” as it wants to be when the final fight rolls around.
Overall great performances help give The Fighter more power. Bale owns the film and his performance is what this film will be remembered for. When the end credits roll we are shown footage of the real Dickey and it represents just how much Bale has captured him. The Oscars that this film deserve are supporting actor for Bale and perhaps supporting actress for either Adams or Leo. The Fighter may have great acting and is entertaining but ultimately it does not have the punch required to be a truly great film.
One Sentence Summary: A lightweight film boosted by a knockout performance from Christian Bale.
Rating: 7/10
The Fighter is the kind of film that you have seen countless times. It’s the underdog fighter overcoming difficulties leading to a title fight…what do you reckon the outcome will be? While the film is very predictable (although it is based on a true story so that’s a given) and clichéd there is no doubting the energy and acting talent present.
The main strength of The Fighter is its performances and without them this film would be nothing. Christian Bale dominates this film and while Mickey Ward may be the main character, it is his brother Dickey who possesses the most gripping story in the film. Christian Bale provides the film with its most humorous, engaging and memorable moments. Every time he is on screen you cannot take your eyes off the film. One aspect of the story is how Dickey dominates the Ward family and takes attention away from Mickey. The same can be said of the performances of Bale and Wahlberg. The film is about Wahlberg but ultimately it is Bale who gets all the attention. Amy Adams is also surprisingly strong as the love interest in the film and provides one of the films stronger performances. Melissa Leo is bound to get an Oscar nomination for her work in this film and she is also great as the mother who perhaps hasn’t recognized both her sons equally.
While it may be unfair to say Wahlberg gives the weakest performance, I say he gives the most subdued and therefore overshadowed performance. This is a film showered with over the top stereotypes and a film where much like boxing the actors with the heavier punch knock you out. Wahlberg is overshadowed by those around him and although he is perfectly likable in his lead role, you do not leave the film thinking of his performance. He may be a leading man but he is not leading this picture. Like I said it is not a bad performance it is just the least memorable. The film opens and closes with lines from Bale and while there is a strong case to say it’s about both brothers, whether intentional or not Bale steals the film.
Aside from the great performances there is nothing particularly special about The Fighter. The best scenes in the movie are made so much more powerful than they would be because they are being acted superbly. The film is almost three films in one, there is the story of an addict trying to beat an addiction that spoilt his career, the story of a boxer getting one last shot at the title and outgrowing his family as well as a love story. Ultimately the most interesting plot strand is the one of battling addiction and you do not see enough of Bale battling his addiction. The most interesting story and character arc in the film is given less time than it deserves. Ultimately I would have preferred a film that solely centered on Dickey, as with Bales performance that could have been a knockout. Some of the best scenes in the film involve Dickeys time in prison, however the scene that got to me the most is one that will most likely be ignored. When Dickey learns he wont be training his brother anymore he beats the lockers in frustration, we then see his son get up and do the same thing. A great subplot of a son perhaps looking up to a man he shouldn't is hinted at in one of the films more powerful moments. The film also has a great and energetic opening with Dickey clearly soaking up his local fame. Another powerful scene is when the whole family watch the HBO documentary on Dickey, that whole sequence stands out as one of the films finer emotional and dramatic moments.
The film is entertaining while its on, however you get the feeling that perhaps some of its running time could have been trimmed, with a subplot about Mickey’s estranged daughter lacking both the back-story and screen time to make any sort of impact. David O Russell directs the film perfectly fine however as mentioned aside from the performances there is nothing special about this film. The film is at its best when it is not focusing on boxing but on the characters and it is much more a character film than it is a boxing film. The ending is also a bit to neat and tidy for my liking and some may be put off by the over the top humour of the seven sisters. Also for this type of movie it is not as “heart warming” or “feel good” as it wants to be when the final fight rolls around.
Overall great performances help give The Fighter more power. Bale owns the film and his performance is what this film will be remembered for. When the end credits roll we are shown footage of the real Dickey and it represents just how much Bale has captured him. The Oscars that this film deserve are supporting actor for Bale and perhaps supporting actress for either Adams or Leo. The Fighter may have great acting and is entertaining but ultimately it does not have the punch required to be a truly great film.
One Sentence Summary: A lightweight film boosted by a knockout performance from Christian Bale.
Rating: 7/10
