'The Fighter'

'The Fighter' (R) (3 1/2 stars)

Writers: Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson
Director: David O'Russell
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, Amy Adams, Jack McKee

To me the boxing movie is one of my favorite sport's movie because it creates so much drama. "The Fighter" is not very polished or necessarily a great movie but with the acting and the high boxing drama it becomes greater. To me this was just a very fun time at the movies with two performances that are some of the best acting you will see this year. I am a sucker for boxing movies because in one fight there is so much strategy and heightened drama portrayed. "The Fighter" has a wonderful climatic boxing match and before the drama of the story sucked me in just as is usual when I see a boxing drama. This movie knows how to get us involved and knows how this kind of movie should work. This true life story is about boxer "Irish" Mickey Ward played very well by Wahlberg who is perfectly cast. Mickey trains for fights in the shadow of his brother, Dicky Eklund, who is infamous for knocking down Sugar Ray Leonard even though people say Ray tripped. Dicky is a crackhead now and an HBO crew is filming his comeback but for reasons different then Dicky thinks. Dicky is played by Christian Bale and let me say this, Bale is the front runner for major supporting actor roles. He is simply amazing here losing major poundage to play the emaciated Dicky and Bale is unrecognizable. He totally immerses himself in the role and he takes what could have been a hammy role and makes it something special. He owns the screen and his performance alone raises this movie's quality.

The other special performance comes from Oscar nominee Melissa Leo as Mickey's crazy but loving mother. Like Bale Leo is totally unrecognizable and turns what could have been a one note role and added depth. Mickey's mother could have been a superficial and shallow character but Leo makes her sympathetic and vulnerable when we think she is sometimes a monster. The cast of characters are rounded out by Amy Adams who is very good here as Mickey's girlfriend who butts heads with Mickey's mom and sisters. It is a blue collar role for Adams and she too disappears and right away we forget we are watching Amy Adams. I mentioned Mickey's sisters and what wonderful characters they are. Mickey has a big family and several sisters that are very tough and will actually physically fight you if you mess with the family. When the story deals with Dicky, the sisters and the mother it is so much fun to watch, the movie is very entertaining. I hate to say this but Wahlberg actually is the least interesting character here. That is not his fault because the others are given the showier roles.

There is also a nice performance by Jack McKee (TV's Rescue Me) as Mickey's step father and his reactions to Leo's mother are priceless and well played. The director David O'Russell, who directed by Top Ten of the 90's favorite "Three Kings", does a great job with the boxing scenes, the recreating of Mickey and Dicky's neighborhood and the performances. This movie reminded me a lot of "Rocky" with crazy and lovable blue collar characters but with the extra crazy family thrown in. I didn't find "The Fighter" one of the best movies I have seen this year but it is one of the most entertaining films of the year. What makes it special are the performances of Christian Bale and Melissa Leo who are outstanding. Christian Bale has just proven to be one of the best actors of his generation. If you see the Batman movies and then see Bale in here you will know what I mean. Also if you love boxing movies I can pretty much assure you that you will have a fun and great time.