This movie, The Fighter, is based on a true story. The main actors Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale were genuine. The movie was directed by David O. Russell and portrays the life of a welterweight fighter and his zig-zag times to a boxing championship title.
Wahlberg plays welterweight Micky Ward, who grew up in working-class Massachusetts. Ward's half-brother, Dicky Eklund, struggles with drug addiction. Dicky is played by Christian Bale who is already an Oscar winner.
Dicky had his shot at a boxing career but ended up getting involved with the wrong sort and used a crack pipe for comfort. Sugar Ray Leonard cameos as Dicky's best-known opponent and is often referenced as his claim to fame that made him a small town hero.
As David O. Russell's film begins, it's revealed that the mom, played by Melissa Leo, manages Micky's career, while the unpredictable Dicky attempts to train him.
His seven sisters, a wily bunch, and unrefined friends make up the fan club. Despite his talent in the ring Micky Ward can't catch a break until he meets Charlene (Amy Adams) who encourages him to stand up for himself.
When Dicky ends up in prison, Micky follows the advice of Charlene against his mom and goes with an experienced manager. Finally, his fortunes in the ring improve.
True to character, he is a family man and as success continues, he refuses to abandon the people who raised him. He decides to try and put the two sides of his life together before his shot at the world championship fight.
Though Russell paints Micky's mother, brother, and sisters as users who are mostly interested in riding Micky's financial coattails, Wahlberg anchors the family with his patient and genuine love and loyalty.
Rescue Me's Jack McGee also deserves notice as Micky's dad, George, who ends up to be a man of reason and sensibility which Micky embraces even when his mother, Alice, gets upset.
All in all, a good film. It starts off rocky with what appears to be home movies and ends with more of the same. Very interesting storytelling. [good moral]
