The Fighter

The Fighter

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Set in 1994, this is the true story (or at least based on it) of the welterweight fighter Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) his half-brother and trainer Dickie Eklund (Christian Bale) and their bizarre working class family in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Micky knows how to take a punch, but perhaps the biggest blow is the one he takes from his family with his manipulative manager mother (Melissa Leo) and his crack-addicted trainer brother who constantly let him down and don't have his best interests at heart.

Micky's father, his girlfriend Charlene (Amy Adams) and his managers are all encouraging him to go for a title fight. He has a shot, but can he do it without his family?

I am a fan of boxing movies and of underdog movies - I loved Million Dollar Baby. I loved The Wrestler, I have never seen Rocky, but I think I should.

This is a simple story, done well. It's about rising up, overcoming adversity, working through embarrassment and disappointment, persistence and the reality of working class life in Lowell, Massachusetts.

It shows the painful reality of drug addiction and the deceit and betrayal of loved ones.

Mark Wahlberg is an interesting guy. I don't know if he's the best actor in the world but he certainly knows the right projects to choose. He produces this film and I understand it was a big struggle to get it underway. I think he maintained a fighting weight physique for 4 years so he would be ready to film as soon as the project was funded. The executive producer on the film is Darren Aronofsky of The Wrestler and Black Swan fame.

One of the biggest favours you can do for yourself when producing a film is to stack it full of fantastic actors and Mark Wahlberg has definitely done that. Christian Bale embodies Dickie Eklund's crack-addicted mannerisms and personality (we see some footage of the real thing over the closing credits). Amy Adams is the perfect pretty girl-next-door. Melissa Leo is unrecognisable as the domineering mother. She's such an amazing character actor - I can't wait to see her in the upcoming Conviction.