Outstanding on many levels: The Fighter is a Winner

Rating: 10/10 (6 February 2011)

The Fighter is a remarkable picture, one of the best films I've seen in years. There are few levels of "fight" in the story and the best is the family fight, not the pugilistic fight as the advertising or the title suggests. And there are the demons, drug addiction, the egos, the money and pride. It is far from a comedy but you will laugh, you will cry, you will cheer, and you will never forget Christian Bale's performance or Mark Whalberg's fight scenes. Melissa Leo shines as the mother of the two, sorry the mother of the nine. I just never knew: should I love her or hate her, and that makes her character so wonderful. There is a big heart hanging over this character based and passionately made film, you sense the love and loyalty, you sense brotherhood, ambition and triumph. The Fighter is a great story impeccably directed and performed. It will stay with me for a long time to come. The FIGHTER is a WINNER.