Having being in contention for the Oscars and having won a couple, was a good enough reason to see this movie. It did not win the best picture award but Christian Bale and Melissa Leo won Oscars for their supporting parts. I will be coming to Christian Bale's performance in detail.
As the name suggests it is a story about boxing. It is the tale of Dickie Ecklund, a New England welterweight champion and brother of WBU World Champion Micky Ward. Well half brother. The movie isn't named 'The Fighter, just because of the boxing aspect, but there are a lot of psychological turmoils the main protagonist, that is Micky Ward, played by Mark Wahlberg, has to go through. Not just him, but many other supporting characters as well. It is the story of how Micky, through the inspiration, support and training of his brother Dickie, played by Christian Bale, become a champion boxer.
This movie is made in a very natural and real style with very natural acting. It almost feels like you are watching a documentary of sorts at times. Quite unconventional for the kind of movie it is. Generally you would see boxing movies associated with a lot of drama and style. But the lack of it both, for me, was the USP of the film. In fact even the emotional scenes in the movie are done very natural without it being too dramatic. The family set up the way it has been shown naturally provides a lot drama. The end is dramatic yes. But well a feature film wouldn't be one, if there isn't even a hint of drama. The emotional quotient did hit me. But its very subtle and natural. I wasn't crying my eyes out but I was definitely left with a smile by the end of it.
Mark Wahlberg does a fine job of an upcoming boxer coming to terms with his family, mainly his brother and mother, and then winning a title. Amy Adams as Charlene Fleming who is Micky's girl friend,and now wife, also does a fine job. She plays the role of a woman who can speak her mind and stand up for what she believes in and does it pretty efficiently. Special mention for Melissa Leo who plays Alice Ward, Micky's mother. She has done a fine job of a mother who also acts as his manager. A strong, protective mother who is in denial and who learns the error of her ways.
Last but not least, Christian Bale. I mean what can I say. I just reviewed another movie of his last week. I am amazed and in awe of this actor. I mean the conviction with which he prepares and enacts a role is just magnificent. He had again lost weight for this movie to look like a pot head. The look and then the body language and the entire performance makes you believe he is a pot head. Your heart goes out to him when he learns the error of his ways. He has given a power packed performance and the emotional range and skill he has shown is brilliant. Watch out for the end just before the credits. His last few lines got tears to my eyes. Imdb.com apparently mentions that he actually had gotten emotional in that scene. That shows true conviction and preparation for a performance. This actor is seeming to grow on me.
A movie which talks about achieving your goals, realizing mistakes, mending your ways and standing up for what you believe in. Apart from Bale's performance, the main attraction is the story telling and direction. The director David O Russell has tried to keep it as real as possible. Please, if you like good cinema, watch 'The Fighter'.
As the name suggests it is a story about boxing. It is the tale of Dickie Ecklund, a New England welterweight champion and brother of WBU World Champion Micky Ward. Well half brother. The movie isn't named 'The Fighter, just because of the boxing aspect, but there are a lot of psychological turmoils the main protagonist, that is Micky Ward, played by Mark Wahlberg, has to go through. Not just him, but many other supporting characters as well. It is the story of how Micky, through the inspiration, support and training of his brother Dickie, played by Christian Bale, become a champion boxer.
This movie is made in a very natural and real style with very natural acting. It almost feels like you are watching a documentary of sorts at times. Quite unconventional for the kind of movie it is. Generally you would see boxing movies associated with a lot of drama and style. But the lack of it both, for me, was the USP of the film. In fact even the emotional scenes in the movie are done very natural without it being too dramatic. The family set up the way it has been shown naturally provides a lot drama. The end is dramatic yes. But well a feature film wouldn't be one, if there isn't even a hint of drama. The emotional quotient did hit me. But its very subtle and natural. I wasn't crying my eyes out but I was definitely left with a smile by the end of it.
Mark Wahlberg does a fine job of an upcoming boxer coming to terms with his family, mainly his brother and mother, and then winning a title. Amy Adams as Charlene Fleming who is Micky's girl friend,and now wife, also does a fine job. She plays the role of a woman who can speak her mind and stand up for what she believes in and does it pretty efficiently. Special mention for Melissa Leo who plays Alice Ward, Micky's mother. She has done a fine job of a mother who also acts as his manager. A strong, protective mother who is in denial and who learns the error of her ways.
Last but not least, Christian Bale. I mean what can I say. I just reviewed another movie of his last week. I am amazed and in awe of this actor. I mean the conviction with which he prepares and enacts a role is just magnificent. He had again lost weight for this movie to look like a pot head. The look and then the body language and the entire performance makes you believe he is a pot head. Your heart goes out to him when he learns the error of his ways. He has given a power packed performance and the emotional range and skill he has shown is brilliant. Watch out for the end just before the credits. His last few lines got tears to my eyes. Imdb.com apparently mentions that he actually had gotten emotional in that scene. That shows true conviction and preparation for a performance. This actor is seeming to grow on me.
A movie which talks about achieving your goals, realizing mistakes, mending your ways and standing up for what you believe in. Apart from Bale's performance, the main attraction is the story telling and direction. The director David O Russell has tried to keep it as real as possible. Please, if you like good cinema, watch 'The Fighter'.
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