The Fighter (I) (2010)

A look at the early years of boxer "Irish" Micky Ward and his brother who helped train him before going pro in the mid 1980s.

Director:

David O. Russell

Writers:

Scott Silver (screenplay), Paul Tamasy (screenplay),

Stars:

Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams

Won 2 Oscars. Another 41 wins & 55 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Wahlberg	...	Micky Ward
Christian Bale	...	Dicky Eklund
Amy Adams	...	Charlene Fleming
Melissa Leo	...	Alice Ward
Jack McGee	...	George Ward
Mickey O'Keefe	...	Mickey O'Keefe
Melissa McMeekin	...	'Little Alice' Eklund
Bianca Hunter	...	Cathy 'Pork' Eklund
Erica McDermott	...	Cindy 'Tar' Eklund
Jill Quigg	...	Donna Eklund Jaynes
Dendrie Taylor	...	Gail 'Red Dog' Eklund
Kate B. O'Brien	...	Phyllis 'Beaver' Eklund (as Kate O'Brien)
Jenna Lamia	...	Sherri Ward
Frank Renzulli	...	Sal Lanano
Paul Campbell	...	Gary 'Boo Boo' Giuffrida

Storyline

The Fighter is a drama about boxer "Irish" Micky Ward's unlikely road to the world light welterweight title. His Rocky-like rise was shepherded by half-brother Dicky, a boxer-turned-trainer on the verge of being KO'd by drugs and crime.

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Plot Keywords:

boxing | boxer | lowell massachusetts | bartender | domineering mother | 

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Taglines:

Every dream deserves a fighting chance.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language throughout, drug content, some violence and sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [fr]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 December 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fighter

Filming Locations:

Lexington, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£2,118,140 (UK) (4 February 2011)

Gross:

$93,571,803 (USA) (25 March 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Closest to the Hole Productions, Fighter, Mandeville Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mark Wahlberg began training for the role in 2005. Throughout the various production delays, Wahlberg continued to train every day so that he could be ready for filming. Filming finally began in July 2009.

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Goofs

When Dicky Eklund is released from prison (1998) and returns to the training center holding his son, the son sings "Ice Cream and Cake" (1999) by the Buckwheat Boyz.

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Quotes

Charlene Fleming: Don't call me a skank. I'll rip the nasty hair right outta ya fuckin head!

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Crazy Credits

The real Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund are shown during the end credits.

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Connections

Referenced in Memphis Beat: Inside Man (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Sweet Dreams"
Written and Performed by Keith St. John
Courtesy of Marc Ferrari/Mastersource

User Reviews

A Winner On Multiple Levels

Does David O. Russell's 'The Fighter' follow the formula of underdog surpassing all obstacles and winning in the end (as is the case with this genre)? The answer is yes but 'The Fighter' still manages to maintain a unique quality. First of all, the four principle characters: Micky, Dicky, Charlene and Alice are unlike anyone one has seen in this kind of film.

They are wonderfully defined and the actors who portray them are cast against type and turn in their finest performance. Both Melissa Leo and Amy Adams are like you've never seen them before and they appear very natural on screen. Mark Wahlberg is superly restrained and Christian Bale does one of his best works of his entire career. They are supported by a host of impressive actors.

In addition to the marvelous performances, the makeup department has done a remarkable job, especially by making Leo look old enough to play Bale and Wahlberg's mother. Bale actually does look years older than Wahlberg (when in reality he's a year younger) and that just adds more to the authenticity.

From the opening sequence, I was under the impression that 'The Fighter' was going to be a documentary-type movie but O. Russell tricks and surprises the audience with that. His execution is subtle unlike the loud approach which other directors commonly follow.

For me 'The Fighter', is more about the human connection than the sports itself. Boxing is clearly a metaphor as is the title which has multiple meanings. Even though he's been constantly let down by his family, Micky chose to give them a second chance and have them by his side. Even though Charlene disapproves Alice and Dicky's involvement in Micky's career, Dicky attempts to persuade her because he knows that Micky won't stand a chance without her by his side. Even though Alice and Charlene don't see eye to eye, there's a silent acceptance between them as they know that Micky needs them both.

I am really beginning to have more respect for Mark Wahlberg for producing gems like this (in addition to some amazing TV-series like 'In Treatment', 'Boardwalk Empire' and 'Entourage') and his growth as an actor is obviously apparent (he just needs to avoid tripe like 'The Happening' at all costs).

'The Fighter' is a winner on various levels.