THE FIGHTER review

"Anything that we want to go from just a beginner to a pro, you need a montage..."

The trailers for The Fighter are of the kind which wrap the film up in Hollywood cheese and convention and ultimately undersell the film. That is to say that it isn't just another sports movie about a guy overcoming his struggles to eventually win 'the big fight'. Well, it is that, but it is also more.

Mention 'sports movie', or more specifically 'boxing movie', to most people and they will expect an uplifting and triumphant underdog story that ends with underdog turning into a winning hero. The Fighter, based on a true story, unashamedly delivers on this count and is never anything less than hugely enjoyable. Hell, it even has time for that old chestnut; the sports montage. Thankfully though, director David O. Russell (responsible for the brilliant Three Kings and a few other less successful projects) tries to do as much as he can within the confines of this sub-genre to help it rise above cliché. For the first hour or so, there is very little fighting in the boxing sense. Moreover, it turns out, this is a film about family.

And what a family this is. Mark Wahlberg is underachieving boxer "Irish" Mickey Ward, his brother is former-boxer-now-crack head Dickie (a live-wire Christian Bale), their mother is the chain-smoking, delusional Alice (Melissa Leo) and their 7 (!) sisters are owners of the most shocking haircuts in movie history. Mickey's real battle is not in the ring but in the home with his difficult and over-powering family. He clearly has talent but with his mum as his manager and his brother as his trainer, he might not be fully realising his potential. Things change when Mickey starts seeing feisty barmaid Charlene (Amy Adams playing against type) who helps him to stand up for himself. The majority of the film is about family loyalty versus loyalty to yourself and your potential. Can he resolve this problem in time for 'the big fight'? What do you think?

The Fighter is predictable but well made. The director doesn't settle for Ron Howard style blandness (see Cinderella Man) and instead seems eager to create interesting shots from familiar situations (the fight scenes are filmed to look like television footage and, as such, are refreshing and effective). He also has a good sense of place - you can almost feel the Boston heat in the cinema.

The film's success though is largely down to the performances, which are universally excellent. Bale is on fire as crack head Dickie and, with his gaunt frame and crazy eyes, is a mesmerising presence. The film suffers slightly whenever he is not on screen. I always believe in Bale as the characters he plays in his films - as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, Trevor Reznik in The Machinist, Brucy Wayne in the Batman films. He is an old-fashioned method actor and, whatever you make think of him in real life, is never anything less that fascinating when on screen. The Oscar for Best Supporting Actor is surely in the bag for this role. Leo and Adams are also excellent, especially the former, whose work I am unfamiliar with (she is apparently excellent in Frozen River, which I have yet to see). I wouldn't be surprised if an Oscar goes her way as well.

In the midst of all this is beefed-up Mark Wahlberg; an actor who I have never really rated but who of late I am warming to (he was the best thing in last year's slightly disappointing The Other Guys). I'm not sure his choice of films have been wise over the years (The Happening, Max Payne - terrible) but he is perfect for his role in The Fighter (one which he has apparently been preparing for for years). He is the complete opposite of Bale; calm, introspective, full of simmering emotion. The picture would probably fall apart if he was less controlled. He is an actor who, like Mickey in the ring, doesn't appear to do much, but at the end; Bang! He's got you.

The Fighter, as good as it is, ultimately is not destined to be a classic like Raging Bull and doesn't pack the emotional punch (ahem) of, say, The Wrestler. But it is way better than I thought it would be and better than the rubbish trailers make it out to be. I will surprised if it comes away with any Oscars outside of the acting categories (it's nominated for 7 overall) but that shouldn't put anyone off seeing it. Worth it just for Bale anyway.

3½ / 5