The Fighter (Blu-ray)

The Fighter is most notable for the strength of it's performances. Mark Wahlberg is excellent as the quiet centre of the movie, allowing Christian Bale to deliver his most memorable role yet. Amy Adams and Melissa Leo also both deserve their Oscar nods for Wahlberg's overbearing mother and his girlfriend. David O. Russell delivers in every aspect with The Fighter, the script is superb, and it revolves around the family drama as much as the boxing, and serves to be both funny and heartfelt. Undoubtedly one of the movies of 2011 and arguably the best boxing movie of all time, except perhaps Raging Bull.

Mark Whalberg's passion project is based on the True Story of Boxer Mickey Ward, and is a Triumph in every way.
Some people may find it a bit Grubby and Gritty. But that was just the story they were telling.
At then end of the day this is an Emotional but Uplifting film with Boxing in the background.
The film is also surprisingly Laugh out Loud Funny at times.
The Boxing fights really suck you into the action, this maybe due to the fact that they are shot with proper Boxing cameras, so it feels as though you are watching a real fight.
The soundtrack also really helped in some scenes, didnt know many of the songs, but they added a sense of excitement.
The direction is tight and to the point. The performances are Excellent all around the table.
Christina Bale gives another mesmerizing performance as Dickey, he is just brilliant in every scene he is in. Glad he has finally been nominated for an Oscar after a host of brilliant performances, hope he wins aswell.
Mark Whalberg is EQUALLY as good in a less showy role that by comparison may seem quaint but is powerful in its own way.
The rest of the cast made up of the girlfriend, the mother, the sisters, the father, the trainer all leave a memorable impression.
Top Top movie

For four years Mark Wahlberg tried to get this project off the ground and in doing so kept up his training in the ring and it shows!
Wahlberg plays the struggling boxer Micky Ward who has always been overshadowed by his elder brother Dicky ( Christian Bale on ocsar winning form) a local legend who fell off the rails and battles his own drug problems. Along with his overbearing mother / manager and mass of sisters who look like they belong on the Jeremy Kyle show Micky fights not only in the ring but with his own family to show his true potential.
The Fighter may be slow at the start but this is just to set up this character based boxing drama. Don't go expecting comic book boxing with the sound of sledge hammers hitting concrete as with the likes of Rocky 3 & 4. The fights a breif and brutal and are very realistic.
But remember that The fighter is a family drama first and a boxing film second and all the better it is for it, every punch rings true and although Christian bale grabbed the oscar for his supporting role as Dicky, Wahlberg truly deserved his nomination.
This is one of the greatest boxing drama's to date and can stand up to Raging Bull, Rocky 1, Rocky Balboa and Ali as the true kings of the ring!
See if you like......
Raging Bull.
Rocky.
Rocky Balboa.
Ali.

For four years Mark Wahlberg tried to get this project off the ground and in doing so kept up his training in the ring and it shows!
Wahlberg plays the struggling boxer Micky Ward who has always been overshadowed by his elder brother Dicky ( Christian Bale on ocsar winning form) a local legend who fell off the rails and battles his own drug problems. Along with his overbearing mother / manager and mass of sisters who look like they belong on the Jeremy Kyle show Micky fights not only in the ring but with his own family to show his true potential.
The Fighter may be slow at the start but this is just to set up this character based boxing drama. Don't go expecting comic book boxing with the sound of sledge hammers hitting concrete as with the likes of Rocky 3 & 4. The fights a breif and brutal and are very realistic.
But remember that The fighter is a family drama first and a boxing film second and all the better it is for it, every punch rings true and although Christian bale grabbed the oscar for his supporting role as Dicky, Wahlberg truly deserved his nomination.
This is one of the greatest boxing drama's to date and can stand up to Raging Bull, Rocky 1, Rocky Balboa and Ali as the true kings of the ring!
See if you like......
Raging Bull.
Rocky.
Rocky Balboa.
Ali.

i disagree with the review about Bale , mark wanted this made 6 years ago , with brad pitt and matt damon both dropping put bale came up and he stole the show im sorry but that guy is an outstanding actor to loose that weight , and he did not over act as the real "dicky" and bale together people on set could not tell them apart as they bale was so like him , Bale talked like , fought like the real dicky. The movie itself holds a superb story from start to finish and the acting was great from all , however it lost a star as i would have like to seen more boxing scenes for me Bale stole the show