The Fighter
After Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale) knocked Sugar Ray Leonard down in a fight (Dicky still lost), he became known as the “Pride of Lowell.” His half brother, Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) grew up in Dicky’s shadow and does some boxing of his own. When a manager offers to work with Micky, it causes a rift in the family because he has to agree to exclude his mother and Dicky from his training.
My friend and I decided to go see The Fighter because of it’s Oscar buzz. Before we went, we both said we’re not fans of boxing or boxing movies, but we were curious about the movie since it garnered seven Oscar nominations. We both ended up enjoying the movie, because it’s not really a boxing movie – it’s a movie about loyalty, determination and family. Micky and Dicky’s mother, Alice, had children (9, I think) with 3 different men and what a family they are! They’re rough, tough, fiercely loyal, and have potty mouths like you wouldn’t believe! I seriously don’t think I’ve heard a certain word used so many times in one movie in my life. They were very creative in their use of the word too.
Even with all the foul language, I enjoyed The Fighter. Alice may have been rough around the edges, but she obviously did her best for her children and loved them almost to a fault. Micky’s determination and transformation was wonderful to watch.
The acting in this movie was top notch – I think everyone was perfectly cast – so I can see why it’s gotten so many Oscar nominations. If you enjoy movies based on true stories or underdog stories, you’re sure to enjoy The Fighter.
I loved this movie! It deserved all the hype. Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg were both wonderful!
Waiting for this one on Netflix! Looks fantastic!
I just preordered this and Black Swan as they release on DVD this month. Glad you ended up liking them.
I need to add this film to my list of movies to watch. Sounds like such a good movie!
I have been wanting to see this one as well, and m glad to hear that it’s not all about boxing, but mostly a family story. It sounds good, but all the cussing might put me off a little too!
I’ve never been a fan of fighting, either. But after I watched Cinderella Man (which I LOVED), I’m now more open. Glad you enjoyed it, Kathy. I might give it a try.
I added this to our netflix queue after the Oscars. I hate boxing which is why I was avoiding it, but I too got the impression there wasn’t much of that.
At first I thought “Oh no, another boxing movie”. I thought they’d been done to death but this does sound really good. I’m going to have add to my Netflix list.
I thought this was probably worth seeing after all the Oscar nominations. I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it and that it’s not so much about boxing as things like family, friendship, loyalty etc. I’ll be adding this to my Netfliz queue!
Going to add this one to see next. I saw Conviction and that one also blew me away. Have you seen it yet?
I can’t wait for this movie to come out on DVD. I love Mark Wahlberg. Glad you enjoyed it.
This was one of the only nominated films I didn’t get a chance to see (though I want to). From the clips they’ve shown at all of the awards shows, it looks like a movie full of stellar acting!
I detest boxing, but somehow don’t mind boxing movies. I think Christian Bale is wonderful and would watch him in anything. This one’s in my Netflix queue.
The boxing theme had kind of put me off, to be honest – glad to hear the story is a about much more than that!
Bf and I watched it this weekend
it was good and I sure do not liek boxing either
I’ll probably pass on it just because overusage of profanity annoys me. I loved the plot and the music from the movie Once (with Glen Hansard), but wouldn’t own it because the “F” word was used every other word, and as a substitute for parts of speech I’d never knew it could sub for.
Glad you enjoyed this one! I haven’t seen it myself, but it’s one I’ve been really interested in seeing.
I’ve got friends from Lowell, and they said the whole atmosphere was spot on. In fact, my friend was a boxer and fought one of these guys and got his arse handed to him. My parents also saw this and loved it. It is on my Netflix Queue!
I love to go to the movies,and wasn’t too sure about a boxing movie, but I was surprised how good it was.
You are most certainly brave to see this one…I keep thinking it has to be like Fight Club…I know it isn’t but this is going to be a difficult one for me to see and my husband can’t wait to see it.
I haven’t seen this one yet! Very excited about it! XOX
I’ll have to add this to the long list of movies I want to see. Glad you enjoyed it.
I’m quite interested to see this one. The town that it was shot it (and about) was next to where I grew up. I always enjoy seeing familiar places on screen.
I’m glad you liked the movie — I’m not sure if this one is on my list, but I do love many of the actors in it.
I would love to see this one. I know my hubby wants to watch it too.
I think all the violence would bother me, but it does appear to be a wonderful cast! Thanks for your review.
I decided to see Black Swan instead of this because of the boxing theme, but I bet I would have handled this better — I wasn’t prepared for how icky and freaky Black Swan was! I’m sure any boxing footage wouldn’t have been nearly as bad as her pulling the skin off her fingers!
This is where I would usually say that boxing is not for me. But you have me curious now. I’ve watched the odd boxing movie, mainly because it was about more than boxing, so I guess I may enjoy this one too.
I have seen several of Micky Ward’s fights, and he was one of the best boxers I ever saw. Always gave it his all, but unfortunately I don’t believe he ever one the big one. Lots of heart and pretty well respected too. I watch all my movies via Netflix so I will be sure to request this one. Thanks Kathy and glad you liked it
I would give this one a try!
I think my husband would love this one – he’s very fond of underdog stories.
This is a really splendid cast. I’ve always really liked Christian Bale since Empire of the Sun when he was a kid, and Mark Wahlberg is fantastic, too. Gritty and hardcore, can’t wait to see it!
I didn’t want to see this one either because of all the boxing. I figured I’d seen enough with all the Rocky movies. Now I’m sorry I didn’t go. I’ll get the dvd.
I think I’d really like this movie. I am not into boxing, but one of my favorite books as a pre-teen was called The Contender, a story about a boxer. Terrific review, Kathy. (I will be taking a short blogging break but will return soon.)
I loved this movie. I am also not a boxing fan, but I felt like this was a movie about the characters, not boxing. You are right about the acting too…it is fantastic!
I wonder if I should see this one. I do love the actors. Great review.
I’m looking forward to seeing this.
this is one that I certainly will be watching when it comes out on DVD!!!
I can’t wait to see this one!
I want to watch this!