In the Shadow of Rocky

Rating: 8/10 (14 September 2011)

Mark Whalberg and Christian Bale both give exceptional performances as half-brother boxers Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund. Micky is a down-and-out fighter who's become a stepping stone for other fighter's careers; the fact that Dicky (also his trainer) is addicted to cocaine and that his mother-turned-manager (Melissa Leo) only seems interested in promoting Dicky doesn't help matters. Obvious mismanagement, his brother's incarceration and police brutality (they broke Micky's hand when they realized that he was a boxer) causes friction between Micky and his exceptionally large family. Eventually his girlfriend (Amy Adams) convinces him to change managers, which puts him back on an unprecedented winning- streak, leading to a title shot.
Important to note is that this film isn't solely about Micky's inspirational comeback (which it very easily could have been). It's about family - Micky, Dicky and their mother. The film brilliantly balances screen-time between the three characters (the two brothers in particular), adding a level of insight and dramatic depth that would never have been possible otherwise (neither Micky nor Dicky would have been nearly as interesting on their own).
Like every boxing drama since "Rocky" (1976), this incredibly well-conceived, well-executed film fails only in one respect: it doesn't compare favorably to its antecedent. The boxing scenes, while they're themselves riveting, don't near "Rocky"'s level until the end of the movie. Charlene (Amy Adams), however, is both better developed and better acted than the sub- standard Adrianne.
"The Fighter" is easily the best boxing movie of its decade (better even than the notable "Cinderella Man" and "Million Dollar Baby") and the best one since "Raging Bull" (1980). Fans of Sports Dramas (boxing in particular) or of any of the four chief actors (Whalberg, Bale, Leo, Adams) will find plenty to enjoy.