Powerful boxing movie

Rating: 9/10 (20 February 2011)

It's not often you get to see a combination of great acting, great dialogue, great film making. In this movie you have a chance to see all of these things.
Mark Wahlberg excels as the up and coming boxer struggling with a stuttering boxing career and living in the limelight of his older brother. I often find his films very hit and miss but I think this must stand out as the highlight of his acting career so far.
The star of the show for me though has to be Christian Bale, who once again shows what a powerful and diverse actor he can be. His portrayal as an crack addict living in the past, his one good fight everpresent in everything he does is first class.
I really can't recommend this film enough, even if you are not a boxing fan. The story just grips you from the outset and carries you all the way through.