There’s a reason the opening shot of David O. Russell’s new film, The Fighter, features Christian Bale’s Dicky Eklund and not Mark Wahlberg’s Mickey Ward. Don’t let the title fool you. The “fighter” is none other than Dicky, not Mickey as the trailers and advertising may make you believe. Based on a true story, the film follows brothers Dicky and Mickey in early 90’s Lowell, Massachusetts as ex-boxer Dicky trains his brother before he goes pro. About 14 years earlier, Dickey was a successful boxer and even knocked Sugar Ray Leonard over, though that may be argued against. However, now he’s a sad sight of a man, addicted to crack and still living in the past as he constantly brings up his bout with Sugar Ray to keep his persona up and running. When that “knock down” is occasionally brought up as being more like a “trip down,” Dicky becomes incredibly defensive because this proud moment in his boxing past is all he has left. If it’s a falsified tale then it ultimately changes who he is. Mickey isn’t only coached by his brother, as his mother Alice (Melissa Leo) acts as his manager and his 8 sisters as his support group. The Fighter isn’t about the sport of boxing at all, you see. It could have been any sport to steer the story forward; football, baseball, even competitive ping pong. The family dynamic is front and center here, which makes the movie much more memorable and unique than any other boxing film.
Let me be clear on why I believe Dicky is the titular “fighter.” This is his movie, his story. All the training, hardships, fights and triumphs that Mickey goes through seem to be just as part of Dickey’s journey, if not more so. The family looks up to Dickey as the gifted son who’s just waiting for his comeback. Alice obviously has a soft spot for her older son, unwilling to believe he’s become an addict. Bale’s incredible portrayal of Dicky turns the film into something much more special than your average uplifting sports story. Calling it a portrayal is almost inaccurate, as Bale transforms into Dicky. The actor has been known to alter his body physically for each character he plays, and that doesn’t change here. However, Bale also embodies everything about Dicky, from his friendly demeanor to his out there mannerisms. He manages to be both depressingly pathetic and extremely likable at the same time. It’s truly a revelation of a performance that will surely be rewarded come Oscar time.
While Mickey and Dicky are close, the family as a whole is overbearing on Mickey’s dream and even unknowingly takes advantage of his abilities. While it’s all out of love, Mickey has had enough. In numerous scenes, Mickey looks away from his family’s rambunctious chats or scoots over a bit from a restaurant booth, his isolation tearing through. In two instances, O. Russell inserts tracking shots of telephone cords stretched out of one room into another, representing Mickey being stretched to the limit. He can’t take it anymore. Once he meets a bartender named Charlene (Amy Adams), he’s able to vent these frustrations and begins to change things.
The Fighter has to be one of the best acted films of the past 10 years. Along with Bale’s powerhouse turn as Dickey, Adams steps out of her comfort zone as the lovable red head, playing the rough “MTV” wild girl to the tee. Leo manages to simultaneously be hilarious, mean spirited, caring and heartbreaking as the mother of 9 (from different fathers, mind you). Wahlberg is definitely the weak link in this ensemble, but his withdrawn and quiet personality fits the character as his insane family takes center stage in his life. His mother and sisters are always around, there to give a helping hand or word of inspiration. Mickey’s sisters are interestingly always shown together, almost like they’re one single character.
The Fighter is by far David O’ Russell’s best film, both in story and visual form. While the boxing fights aren’t on Raging Bull-type levels, O. Russell chooses to film them in a grainy, ugly style as if they were from the HBO fights from the 90’s. This adds a layer of authenticity, giving off the feeling that these fights actually happened. There’s no dull moment to be found in the film. It’s quick paced, heartfelt, funny, moving, entertaining and thought provoking; the perfect sports movie. We all have to fight the elements to succeed in life, and The Fighter shows this in an insanely satisfying way. You may just want to stand up and cheer once the credits roll. I know I did.
Inside My Movie Mind 