Great story!

Rating: 10/10 (29 April 2012)

The movie begins with two boxers talking to a camera crew. In a subsequent scene the camera crew follow the two, Dicky (Christian Bale) and Mickey (Mark Wahlberg) through working class neighborhood of Lowell, MA. The HBO camera crew follows Dicky to film, what he believes is his "comeback" documentary. Dickey once had a title fight against "Sugar" Ray Leonard, which he lost, but remains his single claim to fame. People of Lowell come to show support for the former "Pride of Lowell" and to see the camera crews. This is an insight into Mickey's character. As he greets people, he is serious, but shows compassion, giving a young man a hug, who's mentally challenged. It's obvious Mickey often takes time to say hello and treat him kindly.
Then Mickey trains at the gym, but his trainer Dicky is hours late, which is common for Dicky to irresponsibly miss commitments. Sgt. Micky O'Keefe (self) fills in training Mickey, but as his mother, Alice Eklund, (Melissa Leo) arrives, she's annoyed O'Keefe is training Mickey, explaining it's Dicky's job. She is preoccupied with everything but Mickey's career, although she's his manager. She's concerned about wearing her best outfit for cameras and that they filmed her walking in OK. Then she presents scrapbooks of Dickey's fight career. This is the introduction to the chain smoking, self-absorbed mother and manager of Mickey. She's preoccupied with Dicky's comeback, when his time has definitely passed. She seems to want what's best for her sons, but is unsure how to provide it. She believes the only people who can help Mickey become a title fighter is their family. However, it's his brother who's smoking crack with friends when he supposed to be training Mickey.
The entire family is at a bar, where Mickey admires the brazen bartender, Charlene (Amy Adams). His father, George Ward (Jack McGee) encourages him to finally talk to her. Mickey tells her about his upcoming fight, explaining he is not a "stepping stone" fighter. He makes a date to go out with her when he returns from the fight. While in Atlantic City, the promoter informs the family the opponent Mickey has prepared to fight canceled, but has a replacement, who's "off the couch," meaning he is in poor shape and ill prepared. Everyone refuses until they learn no one will get paid if Mickey doesn't fight. Mickey hesitates because the other fighter is significantly heavier, but his mother and brother pressure him, and Mickey concedes because no one will get paid. The moment Mickey sees Mungin, he knows he's in trouble because he is large and in great shape, but has the determination to go through with the fight. His brawler, toe-to-toe style fighting cannot help him. A promoter offers Mickey a chance to get paid to train in Las Vegas, and as his family repeats "ESPN owes us," we see Mickey sitting there in the limo contemplating going a different direction, branching away from his family. Mickey returns to Lowell with his face beaten, his ego bruised, and embarrassed he lost the televised fight. Mickey goes into hiding and doesn't show up for his date with Charlene, and she won't accept this. She goes to his apartment demanding to know why. She sees his face and has more of an understanding. He explains he took on a larger opponent because no one would get paid if he didn't fight, and she asks if his family is doing right by him. They've just become acquainted and she spots it immediately, and it has played through his mind since the limo ride. Charlene becomes Mickey's girlfriend and helps him see to rid himself of dysfunction in his corner. She gives him the courage to stand up to his family, who openly dislike Charlene, and begin to surround himself with professionals. Mickey's father, George Ward, also feels strongly about Mickey working with professionals that he puts himself in a predicament with his own wife. At times, Mickey's "crazy family" push Charlene away, but she returns. She's there to show her support and help Mickey do what is best for him.
Mickey surrounds himself with great people, which after his brother's prison stay, includes him as his trainer. Dicky gets sober and focused in prison after the harsh reality is depicted in the HBO special. Against everyone's advice, Mickey wants Dicky in his corner because through his string of wins he relied on what Dicky taught him. It's Dickey who goes to Charlene and the others to get the team reunified. Then Mickey gets a shot at the WBU welterweight title. The family goes to London for the fight and finally they show support without interfering. There's a moving scene with the two brothers standing at the entrance of the arena, silhouetted by bright lights, as Dickey mentally prepares Mickey. It's a situation Dickey knows well - it's as important to be mentally prepared. Dickey is showing love and support and for once not trying to steal the spotlight. It's a great fight with both boxers trading blows, but Mickey is losing. With a pep talk from Dickey in his corner, Mickey enters the ring with a barrage of punishing punches and Micky wins by TKO! Fight scenes look realistic because of cuts and slow motion shots, which were also used in Raging Bull. Adding to the realism, the commentator's voices and comments were used from the actual fights, and aspects of the fight were carefully recreated. Mark Wahlberg wanted to give a real look and feel, so he refused a stunt double, taking punches himself.
This film is a drama, based on the compelling true story of boxers Mickey Ward and Dicky Ecklund. It's a story of a strong, kind man who beats the odds, coming from a working class neighborhood with limited resources. It's a heart-wrenching story about love, perseverance, forgiveness, and family as much as the boxing. Performances are captivating and realistic, and set up an emotional, dramatic plot.