They brought their A game.

Rating: 8/10 (17 February 2012)

The main actors really put out their best work in this film. It seemed that Mark Whalberg, the actor he is, took the back seat in this film. His part wasn't weak, it is the others really stepped up in their performance level.
Christian Bale seems to translate into a complete metamorphosis, to play the drug addict brother to the protagonist in the film. His part in no way had any flaws; probably one of his top performances ever.
The mother, played by Melissa Leo, also a great performance. Though she is in real life, only 11-14 years older than the actors playing her sons in the movie, she pulls it off; again flawlessly.
The others, including Amy Adams, really have it together in this story. The cast ensemble are really good.
Though this movie might have a "feel" of a Clint Eastwood production, it in no way resembles 'Million Dollar Baby'. This movie is based on a true story, each of the main characters having their own life struggles, having to need the others support to make their mark in life. Each of these main characters struggle for their significance that is part of the mark in their life.
Though this movie is probably classified as a "sports" or "boxing" movie, the actual sport has little to do with the fabric of the overall structure of the story. It is a story of underdogs coming from the ruins of their particular neighborhood, working hard to get to where they could be on top or within reach of it. There are the usual struggles & trials, in the trips & falls along the way. How one can rise, just to fall harder & lower than ever before, or to rise, keeping at a plateau until you can finally walk into the sunset with head held high.