Family Dysfunction

Rating: Null/10 (25 October 2011)

On the Merriam-Webster website, the word "dysfunction" is defined as "an abnormal or unhealthy interpersonal behavior or interaction within a group" (M-W.com, 2011). In The Fighter (Russell, 2010), Micky Ward is a boxer who is a long way from being the fighter that his crack addicted half-brother Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale) used to be. Micky places complete trust in his boxing career with Dicky and their mother Alice Ward (Melissa Leo). As his career stagnates under the direction of his two family members, Micky meets Charlene Fleming (Amy Adams), a barmaid who wants to escape the life she is in. As Micky and Charlene's relationship progresses, Charlene is able to have Micky see that Dicky and Alice's control extends past the ring and into his life. Separating his career from his family allows Micky to become the fighter that he wants to be and eventually the champion that Dicky could never be.
Boxing movies usually have the same universal theme which is overcoming obstacles to reach or stay on top. The first installment of Rocky (Avildsen, 1976), is the story of Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) overcoming his obstacles and Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) to win the title. In Rocky, the climactic scene is Rocky fighting Apollo to win the title. In The Fighter, Micky Ward is a fighter similar to Rocky. The fight scenes are long and Micky absorbs a lot of shots. The subjective shots in The Fighter have the viewer in the ring with Micky, absorbing the punches that Micky takes. Much like Rocky, Micky usually finds a way to win in the later rounds over an opponent that is bigger and stronger than Micky. In The Fighter, Micky becomes a champion in the ring by taking control of his career and his life.
There are many fights that Micky has to win. Micky has to overcome his domineering mother, Dicky's demons, and the chorus of sisters that make up his dysfunctional family. With Charlene, Micky realizes that divesting himself of his family's dysfunctions allows him to grow as a boxer and a person. The dialogue between Charlene and the family are tense and confrontational with Micky being caught in the middle. The sequence of scenes in prison between Dicky and Micky shows Micky breaking free of Dicky's shadow and becoming his own person. Micky's sisters add to the dysfunction that Micky has to deal with by not accepting Charlene. As Micky rises to the top, he is able to define his family's role in his life. Reference Page Avildsen, J. (Director) (1976). Rocky DVD. Russell, D. (Director) (2010). The fighter DVD.