Movie Review - The Fighter

If I told you this movie featured a montage of boxing bouts showing an old, washed-up fighter making a comeback while "Back in the Saddle" by Aerosmith is playing in the background, would you think this was a movie nominated for 6 Academy Awards?  Although this movie has all the boxing movie cliches you come to expect (including a second montage with the boxer racing his trainer down the street while obligatory classic rock music plays in the background), the great acting all around and gritty in-your-face feel of the movie sets this sports movie apart from the rest.

The movie depicts the life of a 31 year-old Lowell, Massachusetts boxer, Micky (Mark Wahlberg), as he vies for his last real shot at boxing glory while struggling to overcome the clutches of an opressive family.  His brother Dicky (Christian Bale) was Micky's childhood hero and taught him the game.  Dicky is known as the Pride of Lowell for having knocked down Sugar Ray Leonard in a fight 14 years ago, but now is known more for his addiction to crack and many stints in jail.  The movie centers around Micky's fight to find his own voice amongst his drugged-out brother, over-powering, controlling mother (Mellisa Leo), and a whole gaggle of sisters that seem to have nothing better to do than cling to his every punch in the ring and obsess about his life.  And when Micky finds a new girlfriend (Amy Adams) that is helping him find his own path in life, one that doesn't require his family, the shit hits the fan, culminating with his girlfriend slamming one of his sister's heads into the ground.

The core of the movie is Micky's struggle to distance himself from the brother that has taught him everything he knows, but who's self-destructive life style is ruining Mickie's last shot at a title fight.  A fortunate stint in jail for Dicky gives Micky the opportunity to find his own inner strength and regain his confidence.  And when he finally let's Dicky back in his life, it's on his own terms.

The movie is shot in a very gritty, documentary style, which works great for this lower middle class neighborhood full of raw characters that make no excuses for themselves.  The number of  close-ups in the movie makes for an almost claustrophobic experience, but really works to bring you into the lives of these people (whether you like it or not).  And enough can't be said about the great acting in every role in this film.  Christian Bale is definitely the stand-out here, with the most physically and emotionally demanding role.  But not to be outdone was Mellisa Leo as the Mother.  As the leader of her daughter minions she was pitch-perfect.  And speaking of those sisters, they bring all the humor into the film.  Just watching their intense, desperate lives, with those early 90's clothes and hairstyles is about the funniest thing I've seen in the theater in a long time.