THE FIGHTER (2010)

Directed By: David O. Russell
Written By: Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson
Story By: Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson & Keith Dorrington
Cinematography By: Hoyte Van Hoytema
Editor: Pamela Martin

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, Amy Adams, Jack McGee, Alison Folland


The film is based on a true story and is a feel good film. It offers few surprises as you can pretty much predict what is going to happen but it is interesting to see the film pull us through the situations that lead us there.

One of the surprises in the film is the humor of it. For such a serious film there are quite a few laugh out loud scenes that don’t take anything away from the dramatic material. The film is never boring and kind of exciting at times. Though it is good I can’t call the film excellent or great, It has many memorable scenes and characters. I just felt that watching it I had seen this story before numerous times on screen before so it has that been there done that feel to it. Then again I am a nitpicking Critic I’m sure most people will enjoy the film and they have a right to.

The strength of the film is the technical side but also the Powerhouse performances of Melissa Leo as the main characters mother and Christian Bale doing his best work since the film the machinist as he again physically transforms himself into Nicky, The crack addicted ex-fighter who trains his brother. Though he is a addict he is likeable and funny and totally believable. Some of the faces he makes in character are just hilarious. The assorted cast who plays the families sister all 7 of them I would have loved to see a spin-off movie starring them as they are that hilarious and memorable. Like a little gang they provide one of the films best scenes involving them Vs. Amy Adams. Amy Adams does well herself as the love interest I like that they made her normal looking and look like she has been around instead of the usual actress who looks like a model who has somehow made in to this small town and only has eyes for someone who looks as good as she does.

The film is about Mickey ward a stepping stone fighter who is managed by his mother and trained by his Brother Nicky, who is a ex-fighter who took on Sugar Ray Leonard and knocked him down that is his career high that he never lets anyone forget. Now Nicky is a crack addict who is being followed by HBO for a documentary on him. Mickey meets a new girl who opens his eyes that maybe his family isn’t doing what’s best for him and are more thinking of themselves when it comes to his fighting career
She gets him to open his eyes and start worrying about himself. The rest of the film plays out as his brother get’s in trouble and Mickey must decide who to stay true too himself or his family.

Mark Wahlberg is a solid actor but he seems to do his best work when he is directed by David O. Russell their past collaborations have always been memorable (THREE KINGS, I HEART HUCKABEES) But Mr. Wahlberg is a actor who left to his own devices can put in a ok to credible performance where as when he works with a talented director who isn’t afraid to challenge him and help mold him into the character he is playing Mark Wahlberg can be excellent he’s not the only one I like to consider this the Jennifer Lopez syndrome only named after her because I first noticed it with her. When you follow her career she got all these good reviews and notices for roles like OUT OF SIGHT and U-TURN because she had directors to mold her then she decided to do lame romantic comedies where she was the star and the directors were afraid to Challenge her or tell her what to do since she is the star and more in charge of the production then the director is. Which results in films like MONSTER IN LAW, BACK-UP PLAN, THE WEDDING PLANNER and GIGLI. Not that they would have been better with stronger directors but who knows what could have been. They are not the only ones but they are the two I will use for example. Consider Wahlberg’s Performances in MAX PAYNE, SHOOTER and INVINCIBLE to the aforementioned films. A noticable difference.

Brad Pitt and Matt Damon were both attached at different points to play the role played by Christian Bale, When Original Director Darren Aaronfsky was attached to direct. The Script was darker back then. Emily Blunt turned the film down reportedly.

David O. Russell should be given special credit for expanding his career and view with a film that is not in his usual genre and exceeding in his work that showcases his strengths as a director better considering he has mostly worked in the comedy Realm more then anything else. This is truly a step up and a stepping stone to open more doors for him and create a greater body of work.

The film is a worthy addition to your film library and is worth seeing.

GRADE: B