The Fighter (2010)

A boxing movie has some fairly consistent elements--underdog fighter who works hard, has heart, and usually great coaching, personal discipline, and a bit of luck--then wins the big fight. That is a mold that this movie doesn't break. But it is so much more than that. It is the story of the positives and negatives of family relationships and obligations. It is the story of siblings, one who had glory, but now is a crack addict, and the little brother who looked up to him, but wants a chance at glory himself. It is the story of breaking away from your family of origin and having a family of your own. And it is also the story of blue collar American towns, like Lowell, Massachusetts. It mixes this all up in a seamless way, so as to not come off as too much of a boxing movie. The two Best Supporting Actor awards that this film garnered are well deserved, and of the movies nominated for Best Picture for 2010 that I have seen (admittedly I have missed 'The King's Speech', the actual winner), this is the best.
Mr. Bale’s performance is astonishing, in part because he so completely conquers a daunting set of physical and psychological challenges. Dicky Ecklund is not only an addict but also an athlete in his own right, a former boxer who clings to, and endlessly relives, a single moment of glory. He tells everyone who will listen that he once knocked down Sugar Ray Leonard, and while the facts of the episode are in dispute, his pugilistic skill and intelligence are never in doubt. he is also charming, funny, exciting to be with, despite the slightly over-amped crack personality.
His brother, Micky Ward, the fighter who has a chance at greatness but is hampered by his brother's irregularity in the gym as his trainer and his mother as his manager. They both get a cut of everything he makes, and it doesn't do Micky as much good as you might hope--everyone is living off him, but not really thinking of him. the banter between he and his brother and family is pitch perfect, and very sad to watch, yet engaging in the way that reality TV can suck you in.
It is this rhythm — the light, syncopated footwork of comedy setting up stinging jabs of pathos — that makes “The Fighter” so lively, so surprising and so moving. Unexpectedly wonderful.