Rocky's Million Dollar Baby Cousin

Rating: 5/10 (31 January 2011)

Wow. Do I have to mention to my reader(s) or friends or peers that I am not a sports fan, let alone boxing fan?
YetI LOVED the following: Million Dollar Baby, Rocky (yeah, including part VI) and even Diggstown. Does Fight Club count? Or The Wrestler, even though it's technically not about boxing?
But I didn't love The Fighter. Sure it was genuine in its surroundings and characters (SEE: Winter's Bone) and those, I believe, drove the movie to better than average (for most – me, just to average.) Like the mother, Melissa Leo as Alice Ward. She was great. Or the brother, Dicky (Bale) who was also a phenomenal creation.
Beyond the wonderfully thought out characters and actors, I was literally bored for most of the sports scenes. Even the workout shots. With the exception of the finale that absolutely didn't let you know one way or the other on how this will pan out.
The story goes: aging no-ambition boxer Micky's (Wahlberg) trying for a comeback with the aid of his rednecked mother/manager Alice and druggie older brother, Dicky. When they continue to bring him down, he (RIGHTFULLY) turns to outsourcing and does, in fact, start an upward climb in the ring.
Naturallymeaning, no spoiler here – it is based on a true story, as alwayshe can't leave his family back, no matter how bad they are. So they regroup and things go as you might expect. Well, except for the finale.
Honestly, I wasn't impressed in the overall product. Sure, it's well made. Leo did a great job and some are stating so did Bale. He did, and probably will win (FINALLY!) the Oscar. But to me, throughout, it was basic and by the numbers with no heartfelt moments. Nothing like when I watched Million Dollar Baby or Rocky. I can't even see past the blah film to credit such fine performances. Even the music was mismatched with the scenes.
Finally, it's not necessary a movie to skip this Oscar season. But, it's not gonna rock any boats. It's simply just a movie to see. You won't take anything from it, unless you're marking it off your list of Best Picture nominations to see before the big night. And if Bale wins, kudos to him. I just wish he won for something more deserving, such as American Psycho or The Machinist when the Oscars were used to snubbing him. In fact, if they give it to him in pity, as they do, I'll be ashamed I actually watched such sell outs.