Boring and unpleasant

Rating: Null/10 (8 September 2011)

Boxing movies can be formula and unpleasant and this is no exception. It was very ho hum except for the fight at the end. Predictable story and not very interesting choice between sticking with his brother and going with his girlfriend's advice. Who cares. Plus points: Christian Bale is a versatile actor and he does act quite drugged out. He is quite a scene stealer but in the end who cares about his troubles. Minus points: Didn't like the jerky camera style. Amy Adams (the main reason I watched this movie) is a good actress but she was kind of miscast here. She plays against type and doesn't quite make it. Too sweet and classy still. Melissa Leo is okay but the performance isn't really that fantastic. Why does doing a good white trash imitation give the right to a nomination? Marky Mark is adequate but his story isn't worth telling. The people are uninteresting and unpleasant. The dialog uses expletives to add drama. If you missed this one you didn't miss anything. Don't bother unless you are a boxing fan. Just a step better than that depressing nightmare of a Million Dollar Baby.