The Fighter (2010) * * *

 

Directed by:  David O. Russell

Starring:  Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, Sugar Ray Leonard, Amy Adams, Jack McGee

The Fighter is based on the true story of boxer "Irish" Micky Ward (Wahlberg) who managed to break free from the shackles of his dysfunctional family long enough to win several boxing titles after it seemed his career would languish in obscurity.  Micky's half-brother is Dicky Eklund (Bale), who once supposedly knocked down Sugar Ray Leonard but is now a crackhead who thinks HBO is filming a documentary on him about his boxing comeback.   He is surprised to learn it's a documentary only about the devastating effects of crack.  Dicky serves as Micky's trainer, since even on crack he can map out an effective strategy for Micky against any opponent.   

Micky's mother Alice (Leo) is Micky's chain-smoking manager whose seven daughters follow her around like the Seven Dwarves did for Snow White.   Alice isn't cut out to get Micky to the next level, but don't be the one to tell her that.   As far the family goes, Micky is trapped in Dicky's shadow, although in the boxing world, it's the other way around.  Micky soon meets local barmaid Charlene (Adams), who quickly realizes Micky would be better off without either Alice or Dicky in his corner.   Charlene courageously butts heads with Micky's family, but only because she wants what's best for him.   Suffice to say, she's outnumbered.

Micky is the least interesting character in The Fighter.   He seems more acted upon than anything else.  The Bale and Leo performances, both of which won Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress Oscars respectively, have the flashier roles and both are performed with authenticity and realism.  Wahlberg's take on Micky is as a fighter trying to desperately to please everyone but himself.  He is beaten down (in a figurative sense) as much by his family as by his opponents, but it is not intentional.  They also feel they are acting in Micky's best interest.   Everyone thinks they know what's best for Micky.

The best scenes in The Fighter involve Dicky's descent into hell and then trying to climb out of it.  The boxing scenes are technically sound but not terribly exciting.   The Fighter is a good movie with strong, smart performances in which the people on the periphery are more involving than the main character.  It's like enjoying the undercard more than the main event.