Any time you are able to round up the likes of Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Melissa Leo in your film, you know you have something extremely special. Thankfully David O. Russell worked with his actors and crafted The Fighter, a film that bears a strong moral lesson and proves that with a little hard work and dedication, no goal is entirely out of reach.
The film tells the story of Dicky Eklund, a down-and-out boxer who struggles in a life of cocaine addiction. He trains his younger half-brother, Micky Ward, hoping to one day deliver him to the same heights he once saw. But the addiction is bad, leaving Micky to decide if he should keep the family bond and run the risk of never reaching the big fight, or ditch his family for a local sponsor who all but guarantees him a shot at the belt. Tensions flair as their mother and seven sisters watch their family fall apart, thanks to the recent addition of Charlene Fleming, Micky's new 'college' girlfriend.
I'll admit, the plot is a bit bland. But the true-to-life biopic bears much more than words can ever describe on a page. Christian Bale sails miles above the rest thanks to a near flawless performance as cocaine addict Dicky. His mannerisms and delivery are impeccable as he brings to life a character internally struggling with where his life has led him. He isn't the central character of the film, that label goes to Wahlberg's Micky; however, he dictates the actions of those around him, sending both his family and the audience on a whirlwind ride of emotions as we witness his attempts to keep close the one thing that means the most to him: Micky.
The presence of both Amy Adams and Melissa Leo help balance out the testosterone in the picture (though I honestly wouldn't want to meet either Charlotte or mother Alice in a dark alley). They bring the film full circle, bearing a huge load and allowing viewers to get get sucked into an all too realistic portrait of a family balancing between extremes: pressure and reliance.
Overall, The Fighter is easily one of the top films of 2010. An all-star cast delivers a knockout punch and gives everyone a reason to visit the multiplex. In short, a true to form must see!
