The Fighter

"You were the pride of Lowell. You were my hero, Dicky."

Although the title of this film would make you expect the story of one character, this couldn't be further from the truth. The title is misleading because there are really two fighters that we follow. One fighter is the older brother, Dicky, who is past his prime and has become a crack addict. He is now the trainer for his brother, Micky. Micky is the one with the chance to do something that Dicky didn't and he is the one who we cheer for in the ring. But, we cheer for both brothers to win outside of the ring.

Based on the true story of stepbrothers in Boston, this film is filled with spectacular acting. You forget that you are watching a movie, but feel like you are watching life unfold in front of your eyes. Christian Bale, as the crack addicted brother who missed out on his shot at success, is superb. He is a manic, bizarre man that you want to save from himself. Part of his problem is that he is surrounded by his mother, played by Melissa Leo, and seven sisters that seem to support his belief that he is going to make a comeback. His brother, Micky, played by Mark Wahlberg, is the one with the chance to be a champion, and we want his success almost as much as he does. Micky is the younger brother that has always done what ever the family has told him to do, but that is now changing. Because he has a new girlfriend, Charlene, played by Amy Adams, who is not going to stand still and be pushed around by this family, Micky finally has someone in his corner that wants him to succeed for himself.

Watching the story is hard at times because of the realistic portrayals, the language, the fighting, the drug use, but the payoff is worth it. This character-driven drama will have you chuckling one moment and then tears will be flowing the next as you see the poignant moments of love and forgiveness. The story is not only well-acted, but told in such a way that we feel compassion and interest in this family that lives a life that we would not believe if we didn't know that it was real.