Bale shines again. Great movie.

Rating: 9/10 (12 February 2011)

OK, lets get one thing straight first... Raging Bull is the best boxing film ever made and making comparisons with that film is pointless, but comparisons should be made. Both films are based on true stories, both are boxing films that look into the dark side of the characters, and both include amazing performances.
The Fighter contains some of the best acting performances of the year. Christian Bale is easily one of the best movie actors of our time (as Robert De Nero was once upon a time), and this performance again displays his adaptability into any role and again raises him up to the echelons of Nero and Day Lewis in modern cinema (if you only know him for Batman you need to rent The Machinist or Rescue Dawn asap).
The film drew me in and engrossed me totally, mixing scenes of action, family dis-functionality, brotherly love, romance - you name it and its in there. Wahlberg always seems a bit wooden to me (hence the lost star). Even when playing emotional scenes I always lack belief in his characters. This may be a personal opinion and doesn't detract from a great film.
Final word - you have to see this film. Ladies, it is much more than just a boxing movie.