The Fighter

Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale play half-brothers Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund in "The Fighter", directed by David O' Russell.

Steeped in ESPN/HBO boxing lore of the last 2 decades of the 20th century, the main plotline follows Micky's professional boxing journey, with potholes created by his half-brother Dicky, who'd been propped up by a singular boxing highlight in the late 1970s but whose life's forune had dissolved into drug abuse as a life style.  Micky's mother managed his early boxing career, but her intentions were good, but her judgment questionable.  Soon enough Micky's life comes to a crossroad, and he has to make changes in his life to move forward with boxing, which impacts his familial relationships.  The family stuff is hilariously written and performed.

I'm fairly certain Christian Bale will be nominated for Best Supporting Actor in the Oscars, and will probably be the front-runner.  He steals every scene, and puts in a complete performance that pulls no punches (pun uninteded).  Melissa Leo is a probably Best Supporting Actress nominee for her work as their mother.  Walhberg is fine as Micky, but in the end the film's script just feels incomplete, as if it's missing a 3rd act, so I actually wished it had a longer running time.

I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of B-.