The Fighter

We watched this movie over the weekend. For those of us who remember Mark Wahlberg as Marky Mark it is quite remarkable that he has become a very good actor. I am not sure that he ever strays far from his typical role but that said he is very good at what he does.

In this movie, a biopic based on the life of Mickey Ward and to a lesser extent his half brother Dicky Ward, Wahlberg plays Mickey a down on his luck fighter from hardscrabble Lowell, Massachussets.

A fighter managed and trained by his family he begins to and has reason to doubt the advice and counsel he is getting from his family and his career is in decline. Eventually pairing with a more professional training team he gets a chance, embraces his brother again as his trainer and victory comes.

Amy Adams is stellar in her role, playing against type playing a foul mouthed, big hearted bar tender who falls in love with Mickey and pushes him to distance himself from his family.

Melissa Leo and Christian Bale both won Best Supporting Oscars for their roles as the Ward brothers Mother, and Dicky Ward the crack addicted ex fighter.

You do not have to like boxing to enjoy this movie. This is a winner, a very good movie.