This movie is the story of how Micky Ward sorts through his problems in life to get to the top of the boxing world.

Rating: 9/10 (17 October 2017)

Nothing in life ever comes easy. The Fighter, directed by David O. Russell, is a drama flick based on a true story about a boxer that displays how getting something in life takes effort. The film revolves around the Ward family who is deeply invested in boxing. Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) is the hard-nosed boxer in the family. He is managed by his insensitive mother Alice Ward (Melissa Leo) and trained by his formerly successful half-brother Dickey Eklund (Christian Bale). This family orientated boxing team is by no means perfect. Dickey is a crack addict and Alice is negligent of it. Micky, who has lost his past few fights, begins to realize the faulty predicament he is in. Thus, this movie is the story of how Micky Ward sorts through his problems in order to get to the top of the boxing world. The Fighter, a beautifully crafted film that is perhaps one of the most motivational movies out there, reveals the hindrances family can cause and the importance of hard work and perseverance in the road to success.
Right from the beginning the audience is immersed into the world in which Micky lives. Micky, drenched in sweat, is seen jogging around the old, rundown town sweeping the streets with a broom. Dickey is by his brothers' side motivating him to train. This opening scene is very well executed. The audience is able to see the town that Micky was brought up in. The camera follows Micky and Dickey as they make their run around town. Though not explicitly shown, the poverty of the town is revealed through the sub-par housing and the underprivileged people who live in these worn out buildings. The audience has an understanding of the rugged place that Micky comes from and this sets the tone for the rest of the movie.
Micky's relationship with his family is quite rocky. Dickey, a crack addict, is supposed to be the role model for Micky. Yet, Dickey is caught a number of times at the crack house. If his dirty clothes and disgusting teeth were not enough to show that he is a crack addict, maybe the way he is constantly sweating and reliving his past by shadow boxing an imaginary Sugar Ray Leonard gives it away. Nonetheless, this is Micky's trainer. However, he rarely shows up and Micky is always trained by Mickey O'Keefe, the local police officer. Micky's mother Alice, who is also his manager, is negligent of the fact that Dickey is a druggy and therefore is blind to all the trouble that Micky receives from his family. In one scene, Alice and Dickey get Micky a fight against an unfair opponent just for the sake of getting payed. It is obvious that Micky is getting tied down by his family.
Despite all of this adversity, Micky works hard for his dream of becoming a world champion. This task is definitely not easy; especially when his own family fails to provide the support he needs. Micky takes it upon himself and steps away from his family. This is of course very hard for him. All his life he had known nothing but his mother and brother. However, this is a step in the right direction for Micky and his career. Nonetheless, when he is faced with a challenging fight, he consults Dickey for help. Micky trains harder than he ever did and is on a mission to become the champion he always dreamed to be.
Though one might say The Fighter is just like any other boxing movie which tells the story of an aspiring boxer, I would argue that this particular movie is better than the rest. This film illustrates the hardships that can be caused by family and how the strength and will to persevere and move on can lead to great things. The film is unique in the sense that it reveals the trials and tribulations Micky faces with great detail and leaves the audience with full understanding. One starts to feel for Micky and wishes they were in his corner cheering him on. After watching the film, I felt motivated to work harder at everything I did in life. I felt a fire burning inside of me that wouldn't go out until I achieved my dreams. This movie is a must watch and is a great source of inspiration.