A true story. About the 'comeback' of a local boxer, and his little brother, who's an upcoming boxer himself.

Rating: 7/10 (12 July 2011)

Micky, the younger of two, keeps it all in the family. His brother Dicky, former boxer, and a regular at the crack house, is his coach. And Alice, his mother of nine, is his manager. Dicky is lost between his comeback and his addiction, confusing the one for another. Micky, on the other hand, is too afraid to disappoint his family and takes punches for them, literally. Not until he meets Charlene, a former college drop-out, who works at the local bar, he starts to realize he should start to think different.
The story is a mix of multiple stories. First you got the expected Rocky-like story about a hero falling down, and rising out the ashes again. But more interesting and relevant, it's also the story about the effects of an addiction. Christian Bale proves once again he's a versatile actor. His portrayal of Dicky is engaging and doesn't look like acting. And finally, there's the tale of ma Alice, trying to run the dysfunctional family. Her two boys are fighters, while her seven daughters are like a pack of sheep, superficial and bleating all the time. Melissa Leo, really nails the role. It's a delight to see her, so full of passion.
Just for these dramatic stories and their depictions, it's an entertaining movie and recommended. Rating: R (restricted) / 16