The Fighter – An Alliance Films’ Release

http://www.thefightermovie.com/

DVD Release Date: March 15th, 2010

Rated PG for coarse language, violence, and substance abuse

Running time: 116 minutes

 

David O. Russell (dir.)

 

Scott Silver (screenplay)

Paul Tamasy (screenplay)

Eric Johnson (screenplay)

 

Michael Brook (music)

 

Mark Wahlberg as Micky Ward

Christian Bale as Dicky Eklund

Amy Adams as Charlene Fleming

Melissa Leo as Alice Ward

 

Our reviews below:

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The Fighter DVD Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

In The Fighter, Christian Bale plays Dicky Eklund – a has-been boxer who’s since succumbed to cocaine addiction and is pinning his career hopes and dreams on his half-brother, Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg).  Training against the odds in their hometown of Lowell, Massachusetts, Micky must rise above the expectations of his strict mother (Melissa Leo) and gain the family’s acceptance of his girlfriend, Charlene (Amy Adams).

 

Equal parts moving family drama and rousing sports movie, this “based on a true story” drama is a complete package of powerful storytelling and outstanding performances from an ensemble cast.  Not one actor is out-of-place, and Bale’s Oscar-winning supporting work here is career-defining.  From beginning to inspirational end, The Fighter easily ranks among the best movies about boxing.

 

The DVD includes audio commentary with director David O. Russell, and a ‘behind the scenes’ featurette.

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The Fighter DVD Review By Erin V.

**** (out of 4)

Based on a true story, The Fighter follows Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) and his half-brother Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale).  Addicted to cocaine, Dicky’s own boxing career was cut short, and now he has turned to training his brother in boxing, in hopes that he will be able to live his dreams through him.  Throughout the film, Micky struggles to achieve his goals and keep his family together, without them – led by his manager/mother (Melissa Leo) – completely controlling him and his career.  This is an inspiring sports film, but also a moving story of family.

 

The script here is well-written and is brought to life by strong performances from its leads.  Seeing a featurette with the actual guys (Micky & Dicky) proves just how great the two main actors embody them on screen.  The Fighter captured Christian Bale a deserved Oscar win for his supporting work, as well as a win for Melissa Leo.  Amy Adams (who plays Micky’s girlfriend Charlene) was also nominated for her performance, and although without awards recognition, Mark Wahlberg was great here as well.

 

This is a great film that goes down with the best of sports movies – for those teenage to adult, this Best Picture nominee is a must-watch now that it’s come to DVD.  It is one you will want to see more than once.

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The Fighter DVD Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

The Fighter tells the inspiring true story of two brothers, and the bond they share through boxing.  Taking place in Lowell, Massachusetts, the movie follows “Irish” Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg), a boxer being trained by his half-brother, Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale) who won a prominent match in 1978.  It has been 15 years since that match, and unfortunately Dicky now struggles with alcohol and drug addictions.

 

Micky’s business manager is their Mom (Melissa Leo), a rough around the edges woman who lives with her seven daughters.  The sisters are at odds with Micky’s girlfriend Charlene (Amy Adams), because she is prettier and more educated.  Both Dicky’s addictions and the sisters’ fights with Charlene put Micky in a difficult situation.  How can he reconcile his family situation with his career?

 

It’s no wonder The Fighter was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.  The storyline is engaging, with a good message about family ties.  All the actors are great here as they carry the story, but it is no surprise that Melissa Leo and Christian Bale won Best Supporting Actress and Actor at the recent Oscars.  The Fighter is a really great film that is worth seeing on DVD.

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The Fighter DVD Review By Maureen

**** (out of 4)

The Fighter is actually based on the true story of two fighters, half-brothers Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) and Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale).  The story takes place in their hometown of Lowell, Massachusetts in 1993.  Micky is a struggling welterweight boxer who is being coached by former boxing champ Dicky and managed by their well-meaning but business-sense challenged mother, Alice (Melissa Leo).  At the same time a documentary film crew is following around Dickie to document, as he puts it, “his big comeback.”

 

The Fighter is so much more than just another boxing movie.  This is a story about family loyalty and two brothers, one battling with and the other battling against a serious substance abuse problem.  The family ties run deep and they all struggle with making decisions that might change the family dynamic that can only be described as dysfunctional.  When Micky introduces his new girlfriend, Charlene (Amy Adams) to the family, his seven sisters (all real characters) are less than welcoming.

 

What makes The Fighter such a good film are the amazing performances by all the key cast members.  Mark Wahlberg is completely believable as Micky, however it’s Christian Bale’s Oscar-winning performance as the hyper and often drugged Dicky that brings the emotional punch to the film.  Melissa Leo also deserves her Oscar for her supporting role as Mom, Alice.  It’s also nice seeing Amy Adams in a rough around the edges role for a change.

 

The Fighter is an inspiring story about perseverance and the family bonds that make achieving a dream possible.  With such a stellar cast this is a winner on so many levels.

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The Fighter DVD Review By Tony

**** (out of 4)

The Fighter is based on the true story of Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) who overcame family and other problems to go after the world light welterweight boxing title in 2000. Though feeling held back by his manager mother (Melissa Leo), older half-brother trainer Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale), a former boxer and crack addict, as well as seven obnoxious sisters and half-sisters, Micky pursued his dream inspired by his girlfriend Charlene (Amy Adams).

 

Everything about The Fighter is ideal. It richly deserved its Academy Award nominations for best film and supporting actress for Amy Adams in a refreshing change from innocent typecasting in films like Enchanted and Doubt, and the expected supporting wins for Christian Bale as the manic Dicky and Melissa Leo as the trashy mother. Though not nominated, I can count Mark Wahlberg as Micky among the few (since W.C. Fields as Micawber) perfect casting choices in my experience. With his own tough Massachusetts background, Wahlberg had always admired Micky, and not relying only on physical resemblance, trained for several years with the brothers so that every fight move would be authentic. The cast masters the excellent script like a fine stage company, and the rust belt setting of Lowell MA (about as far removed from Boston as [my home town] Hamilton ON is from Toronto) is a perfect backdrop.

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Consensus: With an inspirational true story and excellent performances from an ensemble cast, The Fighter plays as both a rousing sports movie and a moving family drama, that easily ranks among the best movies about boxing. **** (Out of 4)