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Sitting in his corner catching his breath after enduring a beating in the Championship fight, Mark Wahlberg’s Mickey Ward is consoled by his estranged brother Dickie Eklund, played by Christian Bale. Bale bows his brow against Wahlberg’s, and says, “This is your time
” Director David O. Russell’s “The Fighter” is the inspiring true story of redemption. Christian Bale is powerful and nearly unrecognizable. He will win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. He is awesome, and his visceral chemistry with Wahlberg distinguishes “The Fighter”.
The screenplay and story by Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson, and Keith Dorrington recounts the true story of Welterweight boxer Mickey Ward during his rise to champion, prior to his legendary fights with Arturo Gaetti. Ward was one of the toughest fighters ever, with strong jaw, tremendous heart, and furious punches. Mark Wahlberg trained intensely, and looks amazing as a boxer. He captures Ward’s rock steady toughness and angst as he contends with his smothering family. Bale is electrifying as his junkie trainer brother Dickie. In his prime Dickie Eklund stood toe-to-toe with Sugar Ray Leonard for 10 rounds, and knocking him down. Dickie is a crack head low-life, who along with their domineering Mom Alice (scary and controlling Melissa Leo) may be dragging Mickey down for the count.
Bale is amazing. I hated him in the beginning of the movie, as he fleshes out the irresponsible loser Dickie. Bale is scarily gaunt and high strung lanky nerves. However, Bale reveals Dickie’s boxing intellect. During a prison visit, Dickie asks Mickey, “What is your plan?” for his next fight. Bale focuses and tells him exactly what to do. He reminds, “I was talking about you.” Out of prison with his eyes hauntingly wide Dickie asks Mickey’s girl friend Charlene (tough Amy Adams), “So what have you done in your life?” As self aware that he is such a jerk, he realizes that his brother is in love. In a scene of rare movie magic, Wahlberg says to his brother in reference to the Ray Leonard fight, “You were my hero ” Bale with his back turned to the camera says, “I was.” “The Fighter” is about stepping up and being a hero, even in spite of one self.
“The Fighter” works, because it is the story of redemption—for both Mickey and Dickie. Leo and Adams are absolutely strong as polarizing forces in Mickey’s life. It is really Bale and Wahlberg’s touching screen partnership that brings home “The Fighter”. And this is balancing of styles and directing brilliance on Russell’s part. Bale is raw powerful extremes. Wahlberg is unwavering and rock steady. “The Fighter” makes you cheer for both. Everyone deserves a second chance, and the chance to be great. “The Fighter” is very special and touching in that way.
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