The Fighter


3.5/4

Starring:  Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo

Rated R for Language Throughout, Drug Content, Some Violence, and Sexuality

David O. Russell's "The Fighter" isn't so much about boxing as it is about families.  Boxer Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) is being fought over by two families who want to control his career.  His mother, Alice (Melissa Leo) is his manager and brother, Dickie Edlund (Christian Bale) is his coach.  But Dickie is a crack addict and Alice is an incompetent manager, yet they've been with him since the very beginning.  On the other side is his girlfriend, Charlene (Amy Adams), his new coach, George O'Keefe (who plays himself), and his new manager, Sal LoNano (Frank Renzulli).  Both are more stable, but they are forcing him to leave Dicky and Alice in the dust.  Since neither side wants the other to have anything to do with Micky, the boxer has to make some tough choices.

Mark Wahlberg is his usual reliable self as Micky.  The former boy band star has more range than people give him credit for (he was terrifying as a psychopathic boyfriend in "Fear"), but this isn't a role that pushes his limits.  Still, he provides a solid anchor as the film's central character.  His two co-stars, Christian Bale and Melissa Leo, are nothing short of mesmerizing.

Christian Bale is known for throwing himself into his roles (he dropped a record-setting 63 pounds for his role in "The Machinist," and apparently wanted to drop an additional 10 pounds, but the producers wouldn't let him for fear that his health would be in danger), and this is no different.  This isn't the Bruce Wayne Christian Bale we're used to seeing.  Gaunt, erratic, and strung out, Bale becomes Dicky Edlund.  He's likable, but frustrating, and Bale skillfully portrays the drug-addled has-been.  Bale's long overdue Oscar is definitely earned.

Melissa Leo is just as impressive.  The character actress has been in the movies for a long time, but mostly doing bit parts.  Oddly enough, that didn't change much even after she got a Best Actress Oscar nod for "Frozen River" three years ago.  But Leo is a stellar actress, and it's no wonder everyone knew she was going to win the Best Supporting Actress this past year.  With a trashy appearance and a low education, Alice is not really the best manager for a boxer who's looking to hit it big.  Alice is a complicated character; she seems to love her kids as much as she loves the money that her son is making.  The other actors are great as well, but it's really Bale and Leo who steal the show.

David O. Russell has had an interesting career.  He started out making independent films like "Flirting with Disaster" and "Spanking the Monkey," and although those were well-received, he never really "hit it big," so to speak.  His biggest film, "Three Kings," was not exactly a blockbuster, and it still retained an "indie film" style.  But here, Russell shows his talent for fleshing out characters and developing an almost literal tug of war.  The one thing that I found wrong with his direction is that the romance between Micky and Charlene is rushed; in one scene they're arguing, and in their next scene, they're in a committed relationship.  This isn't so much of a problem because the actors are so good, but it is noticeable.

The bottom line is that I liked this film a lot more than I thought I would.  I recommend it to all, and it is really 2011's best.

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