A quick opinion--TERRIFIC!

Rating: 10/10 (26 February 2011)

Utterly excellent film, realistic and the performances perfect. What a difficult choice for the Oscar between the King's Speech and this a totally different film but based on a true story.
I was so caught up in the excitement of it, I do not know where the time went. The film was absolutely funny and serious at the same time. It gives you a feeling for how devastating and corrupting addiction can be. It also has a statement about family. As internally combustible as the family was they still loved each other in their own way. They used and abused each other but they were there for one another.
The community of Lowell is probably not unlike many blue collar and poverty stricken areas. One gets insight into the mentality, the anti intellectualism of it but the love of it too. It was these two feelings of the hardness of life but the love of family and support of it no matter how dysfunctional. If you ever think your family is difficult watch the film. Very humorous too in many ways.
I suppose the boxing arena is a metaphor as well for the rough and tumble clawing of life to try to be a success and never giving up even when you think you cannot go another mile you do. Where there is life there is hope.
Just loved this film and if it were earlier I would related more but just getting my feelings about the film out I give it a 10!