A Boxer's dream to win a championship, with a families struggles to get him there.

Rating: 8/10 (9 December 2011)

The Fighter, directed by David Russell, is a film based on the true story of the boxer Mickey Ward. The film follows brothers Mickey, played by Mark Wahlberg, and Dicky, played by Christian Bale. It takes place 15 years after Dicky defeats boxer Sugar Ray Leonard and in a time in Mickey's career when he is looking to get back in the game. In this film older brother Dicky is trying to train and prepare Mickey to be a fighter as well, but Dicky has developed a drug addiction and is unreliable to Mickey and helping his career. His mother (Alice), played by Melissa Leo, and does an amazing job in her role as a mother of nine and Mickey's manager. Mickey's girlfriend (Charlene), played by Amy Adams serves as his supportive girlfriend trying to help Mickey reach his goals without his families influence. The film follows Mickey's struggle to be the champion his brother never was, and his brother's struggle to fight drugs and the life he has built for himself that he doesn't want to face.
While it seems as though the theme would be boxing, or something relating more to the idea of the underdog rising above, I felt this movie focused more on family. It was a reoccurring idea throughout the film, both the need and the importance of the family. In Mickey's situation he wanted to succeed and earn his title but he didn't want to do it without Dicky's help. Even though his mother, Alice, got him in a fight he couldn't handle and his brother was constantly late or high he ended up relying on them the most in the end. The motifs throughout the film also suggest the importance of family. The family appears throughout the movie as a unified front. The sisters show up together to fight with Charlene, to protect Mickey. As well, they are shown together watching Mickey's fights, welcoming Dicky home from jail and supporting their mother in her emotional breakdowns. The director also uses light to convey the feelings of the characters. Through the use of low-key lighting and natural lighting the mood comes across a a little drab, especially when the scenes are taking place in Lowell, Massachusetts. It's only when things get better and Mickey's boxing career takes him to Vegas does the lighting change.
All in all, I felt this was a good film depicting the life and family of a boxer. I would definitely recommend this movie. Whether you agree with this family or not they stick together and support each other the only way they know how to. I feel that this film gave us a glimpse of very raw emotion of characters whose lives have not turned out the way they thought they would.