My Movie Review: The Fighter

My Movie Review: The Fighter
4/5

Opening Statement: Mark Wahlberg stars as Micky Ward, a boxer who has some family complications when he realizes the fights his family puts him through could be hurting him more than helping him. After this realization he has to prioritize his life and career, to help do what's right for himself. Through this he starts separating himself from his troubled crack-addicted brother, played by Christian Bale, and his mother played by Melissa Leo.


What's Good: This film, in the end, turns about to be a film around family values, and it is totally character driven. Every character has realistic intentions, without the realization of their actions. It's real easy to cross examine the characteristics of each of them, what's really complex is the character of Micky played humbly by Wahlberg who at first focuses on what's good for him, the separation from his dysfunctional family only to realize that it is his family afterall. The conflict is developed ever so subtly by screenwriters Silver, Tamasy, and Johnson who create a film around the 3-act structure, and create dialogue and characters that are interesting to watch. The comedy in the film comes from, not what is written in the script, but what's written in the character personality.
                         Most characterization is owed to an All-Star cast, some of the best ensemble work in a film in a while. While Wahlberg succeeds with his Micky Ward, he is upstaged by his supporting cast. Leo is marvelous as his mother who wants what's best for everyone deep down but her actions say otherwise. Leo hits her spot on, Bale plays Dicky in a more realistic fashion than a character like that could've been portrayed. Bale, all skinny and mentally unintact deserves the Oscar and it will be disgraceful if he doesn't receive it for this portrayal. Bale is an artist with his performance, and he really transforms into this character. Amy Adams also hits home playing Charlene, Ward's girlfriend that helps him realize his family is leading him down a wrong path.
                           Something needs to be said about the direction from David O. Russell, infamous for his outbursts on the set of "I Heart Huckabees" he helps drive his actors, and takes all advantage of his artistic medium. Also with some help from cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema who develops an interesting, and natural look to Massachusetts and together they form realistically choreographed boxing fight sequences, that sometime develop the effect of an actual match being watched on television.




What's Bad: A lot of criticism for the film revolves around its heartwarming cliche'd nature. Yes it is heartwarming, and a sports film being heartwarming is usually considered a cliche' however that is not a criticism you will hear from me. This all actually happened and when something that involves overcoming drug abuse, family disconnect, and ultimately developing as a boxer with good intentions, it is miraculous and one amazing thing. 
                     As far as my criticism goes, it simply lies in length. It was two hours, but it felt a little longer. The last match probably went on to long, but honestly when you truly think about it, this is the best way this story could be told through film. Just don't expect a new "Rocky" or "Raging Bull" but deep down "The Fighter" probably makes the top 5 greatest boxing movies of all time. It's simply just not a  masterpiece. 


Oscar Possibilities: It just received a bunch of Globe recognition. Hear it from me now, Bale is for sure nominated, no doubt, the win is right there as well. Wahlberg is the least likely to gain a nomination from the ensemble, however Leo and Adams have good chances in the Supporting category. Leo will be nominated for sure. It will also more than likely squeeze in as one of the 10 nominees for Best Picture.


Consensus: The Fighter, at heart, is a character movie and each character has some sense of development through the duration. Wahlberg, Leo, and Adams deliver amazing performances, and Bale takes the cake for best supporting performance of the year.