The Fighter

Name: The Fighter
Genre: Drama, Sport
Released: December 10, 2010
Duration: 115 min
Rating: 79
Cast: Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg, Melissa Leo

2010

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 41 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 500 Ratings

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8.1

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The Fighter

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: December 10, 2010 | R

Starring: Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg, Melissa Leo

Summary: A talented boxer with a troubled path focuses his energy on training his brother to become a champ.

Director: David O. Russell

Genre(s): Drama, Sport

Rating: R

Runtime: 115 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Empire Adam Smith

Jan 31, 2011

An exhilarating fight-flick that, like its scrappy central character, is impossible not to root for. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

Dec 8, 2010

This one, as thoughtful as it is rousing, scores a TKO. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Dec 9, 2010

The rousing The Fighter tries a number of risky maneuvers and manages to make them pay off in the end. The movie initially feels like more of a near thing than the filmmakers anticipated, but as in boxing it's only the final decision that counts. Read full review

David Edelstein

Dec 13, 2010

The movie has so much texture that once it gets you, you're good and got. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Dec 16, 2010

Ultimately, The Fighter loses its courage and betrays the terms of its own story by fashioning an interpretation designed to please the people it portrays. It does a switch on us, by changing its focus from Micky's character to Micky's career and then pretending it was really about the career all along. Read full review

Mary Pols

Dec 9, 2010

The screenplay, credited to three writers, has that over-doctored feeling to it, and we're asked to take on a larger redemption tale that undermines the truth of Bale's wholly unsympathetic portrayal of a drug addict and a narcissist. The Fighter's desire to show us what that awful combination looks like is overwhelmed by its urge to show us a Hollywood-style triumph. Read full review

Kirk Honeycutt

Dec 6, 2010

So like much of this film, the viewer is turned into an observer. You never feel close enough to the action, either in the ring or in the kitchens, living rooms and tough streets where the story takes place. The characters engage you up to a point but never really pull you in. Read full review

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User Reviews

MetalMan95

Dec 17, 2010

I was suprised. I expected it to be good, but it was awesome. The Drama was realistic, the fighting was exhilerating, and the acting was superb. Go see it

5 of 6 users found this helpful51

harlanpepper

Apr 20, 2011

The acting is so sublime and the story so heart-wrenching, the movie is impossible to forget. Christian Bale stands out in my mind in what is one of the most stirring and beautifully acted roles I've seen in a while. An absolute pleasure.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

brokenglasses

Dec 11, 2010

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I thought it was going to be a tiresome cliche movie with manufactured scenes, but I was dead wrong. The movie as a whole has a lot of CHARM. The cast was outstanding from top to bottom and Bale nailed every scene with perfection! Naturally, people will compare this to Rocky base from the trailer alone and boxing element, but if you watch the Fighter entirely, you will see that its a totally different. Rocky and The Fighter deserve to be known as their own. Another thing to keep in mind is the Rocky was art imitating life (inspired from a true event), while The Fighter was life imitating art (a true story).

I deducted one point from this movie because I thought they could have rephrased the info in the aftermath of film. [SPOILER alert]. After the last scene, they should have written "After winning the title, Micky Ward began his epic career including his trilogy with Arturo Gatti.....Three of his boxing matches were voted Fight of the Year........Dicky Ecklund was by his corner at all times." [END Spoiler] .… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

RyanGee

Dec 19, 2010

With films such as Rocky or Raging Bull, it would seem as if that boxing-based movies would be a died out and worn out genre. While I will not say director David Russell's The Fighter brings a new aspect to the table, his film extensively brings out the talent of its actors overshadowing theWith films such as Rocky or Raging Bull, it would seem as if that boxing-based movies would be a died out and worn out genre. While I will not say director David Russell's The Fighter brings a new aspect to the table, his film extensively brings out the talent of its actors overshadowing the ensemble of other 2010 favorite Inception. The Fighter is a well-directed and captivating piece, and is as true as its performances.

The Fighter is a biographical film depicting the life of aspiring professional boxer Mickey Ward, played by the surprisingly multi-dimensional Wahlberg, and his half-brother Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale). Ward is living under the shadow of Dicky, a former boxer who falls into the nightmare of crack addiction and violence. When Dicky faces a full decline, Ward, with the aid of love interest Charlene Fleming (Amy Adams), he learns he must rely on his own decisions to find success. Complimented by Wahlberg's acting, Adams puts on her finest performance since 2008's Doubt. Melissa Leo, who plays Mickey's overbearing mother, also gives a commendable act.

The film is not solely based on the sport and Ward's effort to "rise to the top." Instead, The Fighter also diverges into two trails illustrating the drug addiction of character Dicky Eklund, who is magnificently played by Christian Bale. Let me say this, Christian Bale gives an unforgettable tour de force performance. No matter what opinion you may have on Bale, from his viral outburst to his laughable performances in the Batman series, the actor is unbelievably good. Bale puts underlying passion and grit into his performance that will crawl under the skin causing either a sense of deep pathos or disturbance. The Fighter is a captivating film with an ample spectrum of emotion. While telling a "rags to riches" story, it also gives an illustrative view into the lower classes of White America. Although the movie's story is overall somewhat cliche and predictable, the depth put on the ensemble and direction makes it solid entertainment and subtle commentary. It at first is slow to buildup, but The Fighter, led by its magnificent trio, will grab and toss you in multiple directions.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FDT44

Dec 23, 2010

Most realistic boxing action yet to grace itself on the big screen. Memorable and convincing roles from Adams and Bale make this one of the best movies of the year. Wahlberg takes us somewhere special in the ring, but loses his rhythm amidst the side plots and out-of-ring action. Overall,Most realistic boxing action yet to grace itself on the big screen. Memorable and convincing roles from Adams and Bale make this one of the best movies of the year. Wahlberg takes us somewhere special in the ring, but loses his rhythm amidst the side plots and out-of-ring action. Overall, you have to give credit where credit is earned, and The Fighter does just that as it throws you with a hook that you can't seem to dodge. Highly recommended; a can't miss holiday outing.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

lovemusic

May 20, 2011

lets forget about the movie and talk about CHRISTIAN BALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! he was excellent. CHRISTIAN BALE did a great job playing dicky. his character was touching and funny and messed up. I liked this movie because of CHRISTIAN BALE. Mark Wahlberg did okay. MELISSA LEO waslets forget about the movie and talk about CHRISTIAN BALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! he was excellent. CHRISTIAN BALE did a great job playing dicky. his character was touching and funny and messed up. I liked this movie because of CHRISTIAN BALE. Mark Wahlberg did okay. MELISSA LEO was great as well. Amy Adams was good.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Dorrbecker

Jan 23, 2011

Horrible movie. Another boring boxing movie filled with unnecessary drama? We need something new. I would much rather watch Reel Steel than this rubbish of a movie.

0 of 17 users found this helpful017

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40	#40 Best Movie of 2010
33	#33 Most Discussed Movie of 2010
54	#54 Most Shared Movie of 2010