Nearly didn't go and see The Fighter because I really don't like boxing. In fact I'll go as far as admitting that it was the best film Oscar nod that swung it, that and the fact it has two great leads in Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale.
It's based on a true story about two brother boxers who come from a large, tight-knit Irish-American family who live in a poor community in small town Massachusetts. Older brother Dicky (Bale) is the local hero having knocked down Sugar Ray Leonard in a fight ten years earlier (or did he trip?). He's made a career or certainly a life of notoriety based on this one famous fight but has subsequently succumbed to crack addiction and petty crime.
His younger, half-brother Micky is trained by Dicky and managed by his mother and it quickly becomes apparent that his lack of success as a boxer is more to do with these factors rather than his lack of skill in the ring.
Micky falls for college drop-out and bar maid Charlene (Amy Adams) who sees the damage his family is doing to his career. When Dicky goes to jail for impersonated a police officer, Micky is persuaded to take a chance with a new trainer and a manager and his career starts to flourish. When Dicky is released from jail family loyalty clashes head on with Micky's aspirations.
Big name stars aside the grittyness of The Fighter reminded me a little of another Oscar best film contender - Winter's Bone. It's a different setting but there is a raw authenticity about it which makes for compelling viewing.
There isn't too much boxing which was a relief. I don't think it would be an Oscar contender if there was, after all the outcome of the final fight is a foregone conclusion even if you never followed boxing; it wouldn't be film-fodder otherwise.
In a way it's shame that the Oscar best actor category is so chocker full of superb performances because I think Bale deserves a place although I wouldn't like to choose whose place he took.
Wahlberg too puts in great performance. Micky is a subtler character brought up in the shadow of his famous brother, his struggles are internalised. And Amy Adams is refreshingly natural both in performance and looks. She is slim but has a natural looking figure - a rarity in films where Hollywood tries to do real people. OK so next to the Micky's pack of chav-tastic sisters with some of best haircuts the 80s could muster, she does look a little glam but it's the best Hollywood-does-normal I've seen in a long while.
The Fighter is at times intense, uncomfortable and witty and worthy of its place in best film category. It wouldn't be my choice for a winner though.
I give it 78%, Rotten Tomatoes UK gives it 90% based on 217 reviews and an average user rating of 4.1/5. Meanwhile Metacritic gives it 79% based on 41 reviews and an average user rating of 8.2/10
Comments