The Fighter
Paramount Pictures | Release Date: December 10, 2010
8.1
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 500 Ratings
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Positive:
447
Mixed:
41
Negative:
12
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
6
MarcDoyleDec 28, 2010
As a huge fight fan, and a fan of Micky Ward, I was hugely disappointed that this movie isn't better than it is. Mark W plays that same character he always plays. I love Melissa Leo from "Homicide" and "Frozen River", but her role borders onAs a huge fight fan, and a fan of Micky Ward, I was hugely disappointed that this movie isn't better than it is. Mark W plays that same character he always plays. I love Melissa Leo from "Homicide" and "Frozen River", but her role borders on caricature. Similarly, Christian Bale completely overplays his part. The 6 or 7 sisters are hilarious, but not at all realistic. Amy Adams does a terrific job, however - she's the standout here. And on a final note - I was very disappointed that they didn't get to any of the Gatti bouts. Those were incredible fights and said so much about Ward's character.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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5
LauraJeanJan 8, 2011
I really wanted to love this movie. After reading the reviews and seeing the trailer, I had such high hopes for The Fighter. I was so very disappointed. The acting was outstanding, however, the characters never drew me in. I felt boredI really wanted to love this movie. After reading the reviews and seeing the trailer, I had such high hopes for The Fighter. I was so very disappointed. The acting was outstanding, however, the characters never drew me in. I felt bored throughout the whole movie. It was just so predictable, and long.… Expand
4 of 11 users found this helpful47
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6
MovieJayDec 17, 2010
Sports dramas can fall either into "rousing entertainments" or more the way of a "character study". "the Fighter" belongs to the first group, where it sits about as high in my esteem as "the Boxer" with Daniel Day-Lewis does on the "characterSports dramas can fall either into "rousing entertainments" or more the way of a "character study". "the Fighter" belongs to the first group, where it sits about as high in my esteem as "the Boxer" with Daniel Day-Lewis does on the "character study" side: it's fair and has redeeming qualities, but in it's group it sits behind "Rocky" and just a notch passed "Cinderella Man" as "the Boxer" sits behind "Raging Bull" and "the Wrestler" in it's group. Mark Wahlberg is not quite comfortable yet as a leading man, and the movie considers too much of the archetypal blue collar behavior that surrounds him and drowns out his performance. Not a bad movie. It passes the time. But after the hype fades over the next couple of weeks, people will come to their senses on this one, I think. As far as rousing entertainments go, "Secretariat" beats this one by a length.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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5
movi60centDec 18, 2010
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. You can't necessarily blame Wahlberg, as his modest performance is the one element that feels truly authentic and heartfelt. follow review in http://www.cinscreen.com/?id=1107… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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5
CareojoDec 18, 2010
If I'm going to watch a film about a bunch of classless characters (with the exception of Wahlberg's) at least show it to me with some class...throw me an original music score, exercise style with the camera, instead of relying in only handIf I'm going to watch a film about a bunch of classless characters (with the exception of Wahlberg's) at least show it to me with some class...throw me an original music score, exercise style with the camera, instead of relying in only hand held close-ups. The fighting sequences were awful..they felt artificial and under-rehearsed (specially the one in which Ward knocks out the boxer from mexico). Walhberg played it soft, but maybe too soft....
Bale's performance was mostly shocking, and although for some moments it felt too chaotic and over the top, it should be the only reason for anyone to watch this film.
-5.5-… Expand
0 of 5 users found this helpful05
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4
ScrummasterDec 30, 2010
This movie is not a boxing classic--whoever said that. The characters seem to be something of a caricature--do people like this really exist? I just can't imagine there are real people so 'in your face.' Bale was barely recognizable--tooThis movie is not a boxing classic--whoever said that. The characters seem to be something of a caricature--do people like this really exist? I just can't imagine there are real people so 'in your face.' Bale was barely recognizable--too much over the top as a crack addict.

i don't understand the attraction of Mark Wahlberg. He seems to have no range with either physical or emotional acting. It was hard for me not to leave in the middle of the movie. It was trying to be edgy but was basically uninteresting.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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5
juliet1000Feb 7, 2011
This film would have been better without the constant intrusion of the mother and family ties, half their input and more about the boxing would have been a big improvement.
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
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6
heyitsmegrif4Jan 2, 2012
Although predictable and not inspiring. The Fighter has incredible performances from Adams, Wahlberg, Bale, and Leo. So it basically saves the movie. I give this movie 65%.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
imthenoobMar 7, 2012
When you compare this film to other boxing films like Rocky and Raging Bull, It doesnt compete. Wahlberg was average at best in this film, Bale was simply amazing and the only reason for actually watching this. Its a slightly above averageWhen you compare this film to other boxing films like Rocky and Raging Bull, It doesnt compete. Wahlberg was average at best in this film, Bale was simply amazing and the only reason for actually watching this. Its a slightly above average sports film, Nothing more imo.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
jzmeNov 21, 2013
Mediocre to the core I'd say. The movie plot was a bit too plain and it didn't reach the climax spot. It just wasn't there, except for Christian Bale's awesome performance. He transformed into a complete person, I almost didn't recognize him.Mediocre to the core I'd say. The movie plot was a bit too plain and it didn't reach the climax spot. It just wasn't there, except for Christian Bale's awesome performance. He transformed into a complete person, I almost didn't recognize him. Expected more, but the movie gave less.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Trev29Aug 31, 2012
The cast is great. There are funny well acted characters. The story is just kind if, blah. The acting is the reason why you want and should see this movie. The boxing just adds as a secondary attraction.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
mohamad91hkJun 6, 2019
I've watched many movies of Bale, so I believe he is one of the greatest actors in the history of cinema, he can act any character like Politician, super hero, western, psycho, etc. Also in this movie you can see a fabulous characterI've watched many movies of Bale, so I believe he is one of the greatest actors in the history of cinema, he can act any character like Politician, super hero, western, psycho, etc. Also in this movie you can see a fabulous character ''Dicky'' that Bale made as a boxer who is struggling with drug addiction.

''The Fighter'' focus on the relationship between Micky, Dicky and their family, I was hoping if there were more boxing and hard training, I felt that I am watching a dramatic movie not a fighter movie, only at the end i saw some fighting scenes.

After all the movie is watchable, especially Bale character will make you enjoy in the movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
FilipeNetoFeb 21, 2021
I'm not a boxing expert, so I never heard of Micky Ward and I had to go on the internet to see who he was. I can't say if the film was true to the facts or if things were really as shown. I will ignore these points and talk about the film,I'm not a boxing expert, so I never heard of Micky Ward and I had to go on the internet to see who he was. I can't say if the film was true to the facts or if things were really as shown. I will ignore these points and talk about the film, and the story that tells only.

The film talks about two brothers linked to boxing: one of them, Dicky, was a good fighter in the past, but the drugs got the better of him and prevented him from going any further. Nevertheless, he is still the pride of the family, especially the mother, who insists on not seeing what he does. Micky has aspirations to be a good fighter, but fails because family do not help him. And that family, in itself, is reason enough for us to understand the reasons why the young aspiring champion feels so suffocated.

The film is quite interesting and entertains more than I expected. The way he explores family relationships and the madness of that family is excellent. In addition, it makes an interesting analysis of the functioning and mentality of a small and backward city, where an individual narrowly becomes a hero, in the absence of another that shadows him and truly deserves public recognition.

The cast is impressive and full of big names. Mark Wahlberg is good on the role and committed himself, but the fact is that the character is uninteresting and there is not much to do about it. Who truly stands out and steals the attention is the duo composed by Christian Bale and Melissa Leo who, in two supporting characters, knew how to become the stars and shine, with an impressive succession of madness. Both actors are good and their total commitment was rewarded with the Oscar, the only two statuettes that this film collected, of the several for which he was nominated. Amy Adams is also part of this film, but she, like Wahlberg, has a minor role, limiting herself to being the protagonist's hot girlfriend who torments his family as much as possible.

Technically, it is a discreet film. Cinematography is good, and makes good use of action and fighting scenes. The sets and costumes are consistent with what is required by the story, but do not stand out. There are several visual effects and the make-up team was effective in reproducing cuts and wounds, which, I am sure, is something that is usual for these specialists. What really caught my attention was, in fact, the soundtrack, which uses several melodies by Michael Brook and a song that became known, called “How you Like Me Now?”, By The Heavy.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
hamidgoodarziNov 20, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A successful film by David A. Russell, which has managed to attract two Oscars and experts' opinions, and has succeeded in attracting the general audience. Although the film has traces of his previous works, especially his comedies, the narrative of the film is attractive and different in its own way, and the film has been able to deal with concepts such as effort and fun, love, the middle class of society, and sub-cultures and neighborhood culture with this narrative. A tempting movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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