Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Fighter

A quintessentially American tale about getting your head straight in order to kick maximum ass. Has-been boxer Dicky Eklund is the pride of Lowell, MA—first to industrialize, first to blight, a microcosm of present day America. His kid brother Micky Ward, Mark Wahlberg playing in his wounded puppy dog mode, is an up-and-comer with an uncertain future. They train hard, take on some serious issues (crack addiction, emotional blackmail, the oedipal complex), and make it to the light welterweight championship of the World Boxing Union. It’s impressive that they get all the way there working solely with their hometown crew. Pride of Lowell indeed. The Fighter is an inspiring story, based on real events. Christian Bale’s performance as the clownish, glassy-eyed Eklund is remarkable and Melissa Leo is ferocious in her role as the boxers’ mother/promoter. Also with Amy Adams. Directed by David O. Russell. 2010.

Here are some links to videos related to The Fighter.

Eklund vs. Leonard


Ward vs. Neary

The HBO Documentary featuring Dick Eklund: High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell

Watch more free documentaries

No comments:

Post a Comment