Movie Review: The Fighter

I’m closing out the week with a movie review – maybe it will help those of you headed to the theater this weekend.

Last Saturday, Jackie and I met up at the theater to watch “The Fighter” starring Mark Wahlberg (without his funky bunch), Christian Bale (without his Batman suit) and Amy Adams (without her big dress from Enchanted). As I’m sure you may know this film is nominated for a Golden Globe and will probably be a top Oscar contender as well, which is one of the many reasons I was interested in seeing the film. I’m a big fan of watching all the films nominated for awards. It’s an old hobby of mine.

As always, I won’t give away the complete story; but instead just a brief synopsis. The film is based on the true story of boxer Micky Ward (Wahlberg) and he came into his boxing career. Micky’s brother, Dicky Eklund (Bale) was also a boxer who has fallen into the throes of drug addiction and the movie follows the relationship between the two brothers as well.

The boys’ mother, Alice, acts as manager for Micky, until he comes to his senses and gets a new manager. Alice also has seven other children, all girls, who are in a lot of scenes in the movie and provide most of the comic relief. One of the sisters is played by Kate O’Brien, sister to Conan, and let me tell you people, she looks just like him!

The film also tells the story of Micky meeting his girlfriend Charlene Fleming (Adams) and how she became probably the only stable thing in his life.

This movie is heartbreaking, exciting, terrifying, sad, and hilarious all wrapped in to one. In a word – excellent! The film is rated R and obviously only for adult eyes. There is a lot of language (hey, it’s Lowell, Mass. For crying out loud), so if you are not comfortable with foul mouths then you probably won’t like this film. The filmmakers did a great job telling the story of these brothers and their personal and emotional struggles with boxing, family, addiction, and just life in general. Almost everyone I know can probably relate to the lessons of this film in one way or another.

If you’re looking to break free of the snow and ice this weekend, head out to the theater and take in “The Fighter” you won’t be disappointed.