Not just another boxing related movie, not by a long shot.

Rating: 9/10 (24 March 2011)

It is not a coincidence that this movie has as many nominations and awards to its credit as it does; I was impressed when I looked it up. I knew only the Oscar and Golden Globes related ones. Also not surprising are the highest of ratings from both critics and movie goers/lovers alike, from all the sources I looked up. It is expected IF you've seen the movie. You'll know for sure once you've seen it twice. Let me repeat thatOnce you've seen it twice. This is the typical movie that you will eventually and knowingly watch twice, like the Godfather, like Scarface, like The Departed, like Sideways, like you get my drift.
Why? It's not Rocky (the original one only) and it's not Raging Bull, nor is it Requiem for a Heavyweight, surely the best casted boxing movie if you know your facts. It is not one of these acclaimed movies; it is the acclaimed seven times nominated and twice 2011 Oscar winner The Fighter. Okay that still does not answer the question 'why', I know.
Well to start with, the producer and lead actor Mark Wahlberg picked or was lucky to get David Russell with whom he worked previously on a couple of not too shabby movies, 'I Heart The Huckabees' and 'The Three Kings'. That would have to be a pretty good starting point, if you were taking on a property like 'The Fighter'. Actually, I looked up the rating of Wahlberg's productions and there are more than you probably expect, in addition to which they all are top rated. A 'just for instance' is warranted here; Boardwalk Empire is a recent production by Wahlberg. Check IMDb's filmography by rating and you'll understand. I don't necessarily agree with all the ratings but I'm not a critic. This popular actor is popular for a reason; a scroll of his roles in the selection of movies he's acted in speak for themselves. He delivers steadily good performances in a variety of characters; the roles and his delivery of them are, if not tops, certainly ones that stand out each and every time. If you have seen many of his movies, you know that upon reflection; you probably have not thought of him in the context of body of work of an artist but if you do, you may realize this is one smart movie guy. I guess you could say with no risk of being wrong, that he knows what people are going to like.
The cast was excellent and delivered outstanding performances for which the Oscar wins confirm what so many other reviews have raved about. Christian Bale, like him or not for whatever your reasons, has taken on some of the toughest roles around and some of the more 'out there' characters; he would not have been offered those roles if he did not have the talent directors were looking for. This was the case here. I was blown away, like so many, by the performance of Melissa Leo. Amy Adams I've liked for quite some time and was very happy she had the part of Charlene in this movie; it made me like it even more.
I don't wish to spoil your movie watching experience if you haven't yet gone to see the movie, so I'll chose my words carefully now. The story is original and depicts real people, flawed but not that you'd hate them, warm but not that you'd make friends right off the bat ( at least I wouldn't), caring and well intended people, which the acting and directing made us happily discover is not something only in good books. The movie also treats boxing as just another tough sport to make a living from; there were no big heroes, just ordinary people overcoming steep odds and warranting exactly what is said in the very last scene. I liked the last few words very much. This movie has a happy ending which thankfully is not fairytale like; just an ending that leaves you with a warm and fuzzy as well as an urgent need to tell all your friends to watch it.