A new age Rocky Balboa-like tale hits the cinema in The Fighter, based on the true story of boxing brothers Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund.
Micky (Mark Wahlberg) has been in the shadow of his older, former champion brother, Dicky (Christian Bale) for years. Now starting to move his way into his own professional career, he finds his family holding him back and his brother starting to slip into the gutter. Rising toward his own fame, Micky fights the struggle between sacrificing success and family.
Two leading actors Wahlberg and Bale are able to stand on a common level in this picture. While Wahlberg is able to have a firm independeance to his character, Bale pulls off the colourful mannerisms of Eklund marvelously, without chewing the scenery or turning it into a joke.
The structure of the story is an endless tug of war scenario that pulls hard from either side every time the audience thinks it's tiring out. The choreographed boxing is crafted to be practically identical in camera work, movement and organization. You'll feel like you're watching a match on the biggest screen ever.
Right to the finish, strong performances put up a good show, with intensity in the fights and themes of loyalty to draw in the spectators. One for the sports movies? Perhaps not. But a drama that will divide the hearts of its viewers. Watch the punches fly, but no need to brace for a dull film.
-Braydon K
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