Fighter, The [Blu-ray]

I went with my girlfriend to see the film, making an effort to convince her that this boxing themed film called THE FIGHTER was worthy of watching. I did not expect to be utterly blown away by the amazing performances of the main actors.The fighting scenes seemed so real, that I found people seated nearby flinching and backing onto the cushions of their seats, as Micky was repeatedly pummelled and punched, blood and sweat flying. Those that were squeamish, hunched closer to their partners, as if in fear of receiving similar blows to their sides..The audience sat silently watching this awesome story unfold..a most touching, emotionally draining portrayal of the real life boxing step brothers Micky Ward and a gaunt and aging heroine addict and has-been boxing champ Dicky Eklund.For those hesitant to watch because'it's just another boxing film', well I must share there is certainly plenty of heart stopping violence during the boxing matches. However I assure you, this is not a film only about the sport.. Mark Walhberg produced a film that is a wonderful study of the human condition, about a family's deeply entrenched with love and loyalty and over came the odds and how they brought pride and joy to the ordinary folks in small town Lowell who continue to worship their working class heroes, these two brothers.After watching the film, I went about telling one and all to please go view this film! Word spread to as far as Japan. My friend there tells me The Fighter will premier in Tokyo on March 26th 2011. The international audience will be entertained by the portrayal of the crazy antics of this madcap family.Christian Bale gave an amazing, incredibly generous un-self conscious performance.. My teenaged daughter whapsapped me from Canada saying 'I couldn't recognize that was Batman!'Christian, new winner of Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, delivered so realistic a portrayal of loving but aimless older brother Dicky, having delusions of a boxing fight comeback. Struggling to overcoming his years of heroine addiction, and finally coming clean after some jail time, becomes the story's real hero when he helps his younger brother triumph against odds to win a title match.The Fighter is pure cinematic magic, that left the audience spellbound, as we watched in baited breath rallying through this colorful family all the way till the final scenes with the heart pounding boxing match that left me drained. With what hardships this family went through, the glorious and exhilarating fight at the end, made the triumph all the more sweet.I absolutely fell in love with this story, such that I had to take my dear husband to accompany to watch again. And upon viewing a second time, I saw more details that I missed in my first viewing.All the actors did a marvelous acting in their respective roles, Melissa Leo absolutely deserved that Oscar..Amy Adams with those gorgeous blue eyes can at once be the beguiling temptress, and those same eyes can instantly change to spew firelight as she tangles with Dicky and Micky's hellcat sisters.Finally, I wish to say a huge THANK YOU to Christian Bale..You deserved your Oscar, THANK YOU for being in a film that left my husband's attention glued to the cinema screen, and be mesmerized for over two hours, he was so enchanted by the story and your acting, he failed to notice his dear wife crying through the latter half of film. Thank you.. and I predict YOU will have more oscar nominations in the future..and a billion more fans..I will buy the video to add to my collection.

A movie that finally proves feel good sports movies about under dogs don't have to be clean, campy, and follow the same outlines as all the rest. The fighter is a real world gritty movie about a boxer who has to do as much fighting outside the ring as in to prove himself.Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) is a down on his luck man from Lowell Mass. Working construction he begins to plan a come back as a boxer. Trained largely by a family friend and his junkie brother, Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale), he begins to talk up his come back around town. When Ward's come back doesn't go as planned he nearly gives up on his dream until his new girlfriend Charlene Fleming (Amy Adams) fills the role of a supportive, loving person in his life that no one has really stepped into before. Ward is constantly in his brother's shadow and it is clear who the family favorite is. Ward's emotional battle out of the ring is tougher than the physical trials he endures during his fights.The Fighter is a great movie that blends family, boxing, drama, and comedy perfectly. It is clear this movie always had a strong script and David O. Russell did a phenomenal job directing but the cast really brings it to the next level. Wahlberg and Bale have excellent chemistry on screen. Adams projects a strong and independent woman who isn't afraid to stare down Ward's seven sisters or his over bearing mother, Alice Ward (Melissa Leo). There is no weak link in the cast and choosing one that stands above the rest isn't easy. An amazing cast like this can carry any average movie but The Fighter is something more.The Fighter is still an underdog story but it doesn't seem to be the same fill-in-the-blank as every other sports movie that gets churned out. The town of Lowell Mass is brought to life by the vibrant and real characters. It is not a cookie-cutter suburbia or a friendly town that holds Ward on their shoulders like in the sequel to the Rocky movies. Ward is a flawed character and his family is worse. These flaws make them characters and not just players in the game. Plenty of scenes develop the characters, the town, and the struggle that Ward had to face everyday without being over bearing or taking anything away from the plot.An amazing story with real characters this movie isn't just for boxing fans. The sport is Ward's ambition but the fight the title refers to involves every aspect of his life.