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The Fighter

  • 20102010
  • RR
  • 1h 56m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
360K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,778
6
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale in The Fighter (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.
Play trailer2:33
7 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Biography
  • Drama

Based on the story of Micky Ward, a fledgling boxer who tries to escape the shadow of his more famous but troubled older boxing brother and get his own shot at greatness.Based on the story of Micky Ward, a fledgling boxer who tries to escape the shadow of his more famous but troubled older boxing brother and get his own shot at greatness.Based on the story of Micky Ward, a fledgling boxer who tries to escape the shadow of his more famous but troubled older boxing brother and get his own shot at greatness.

IMDb RATING
7.8/10
360K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,778
6
  • Director
    • David O. Russell
  • Writers
    • Scott Silver(screenplay)
    • Paul Tamasy(screenplay)
    • Eric Johnson(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Mark Wahlberg
    • Christian Bale
    • Amy Adams
Top credits
  • Director
    • David O. Russell
  • Writers
    • Scott Silver(screenplay)
    • Paul Tamasy(screenplay)
    • Eric Johnson(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Mark Wahlberg
    • Christian Bale
    • Amy Adams
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 484User reviews
    • 412Critic reviews
    • 79Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Oscars
      • 74 wins & 123 nominations total

    Videos7

    The Fighter: Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:33
    The Fighter: Trailer #1
    "I Am the One Who Is Fighting"
    Clip 0:58
    "I Am the One Who Is Fighting"
    The Fighter - Christian Bale
    Featurette 2:11
    The Fighter - Christian Bale
    The Fighter - Mark Wahlberg
    Featurette 2:45
    The Fighter - Mark Wahlberg
    2012 Nclr Alma Awards: Rafael Amaya, The Fighter
    Interview 0:42
    2012 Nclr Alma Awards: Rafael Amaya, The Fighter
    The Fighter
    Promo 0:32
    The Fighter
    The Fighter
    Promo 0:32
    The Fighter

    Photos200

    Mark Wahlberg and Amy Adams in The Fighter (2010)
    Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale in The Fighter (2010)
    Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, and Melissa Leo in The Fighter (2010)
    Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale in The Fighter (2010)
    Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale in The Fighter (2010)
    Mark Wahlberg in The Fighter (2010)
    Bianca Hunter, Jenna Lamia, Dendrie Taylor, and Melissa McMeekin in The Fighter (2010)
    Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale in The Fighter (2010)
    Melissa Leo in The Fighter (2010)
    Mark Wahlberg in The Fighter (2010)
    Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale in The Fighter (2010)
    Mark Wahlberg in The Fighter (2010)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Mark Wahlberg
    Mark Wahlberg
    • Micky Wardas Micky Ward
    Christian Bale
    Christian Bale
    • Dicky Eklundas Dicky Eklund
    Amy Adams
    Amy Adams
    • Charlene Flemingas Charlene Fleming
    Melissa Leo
    Melissa Leo
    • Alice Wardas Alice Ward
    Mickey O'Keefe
    • Mickey O'Keefeas Mickey O'Keefe
    Jack McGee
    Jack McGee
    • George Wardas George Ward
    Melissa McMeekin
    Melissa McMeekin
    • 'Little Alice' Eklundas 'Little Alice' Eklund
    Bianca Hunter
    Bianca Hunter
    • Cathy 'Pork' Eklundas Cathy 'Pork' Eklund
    Erica McDermott
    Erica McDermott
    • Cindy 'Tar' Eklundas Cindy 'Tar' Eklund
    Jill Quigg
    • Donna Eklund Jaynesas Donna Eklund Jaynes
    Dendrie Taylor
    Dendrie Taylor
    • Gail 'Red Dog' Eklundas Gail 'Red Dog' Eklund
    Kate B. O'Brien
    • Phyllis 'Beaver' Eklundas Phyllis 'Beaver' Eklund
    • (as Kate O'Brien)
    Jenna Lamia
    Jenna Lamia
    • Sherri Wardas Sherri Ward
    Frank Renzulli
    Frank Renzulli
    • Sal Lananoas Sal Lanano
    Paul Campbell
    • Gary 'Boo Boo' Giuffridaas Gary 'Boo Boo' Giuffrida
    Caitlin Dwyer
    Caitlin Dwyer
    • Kasie Wardas Kasie Ward
    Chanty Sok
    Chanty Sok
    • Karenas Karen
    Ted Arcidi
    Ted Arcidi
    • Lou Goldas Lou Gold
    • Director
      • David O. Russell
    • Writers
      • Scott Silver(screenplay)
      • Paul Tamasy(screenplay) (story)
      • Eric Johnson(screenplay) (story)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —anonymous
    • based on true story
    • boxing
    • boxer
    • domineering mother
    • scantily clad female
    • 167 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Every dream deserves a fighting chance.
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • Sport
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for language throughout, drug content, some violence and sexuality
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Mark Wahlberg waived his own salary, and took no upfront fee for this film. Christian Bale was paid only $250,000 for his role.
    • Goofs
      Micky Ward is introduced before a fight as having 20 KOs. He defeats an opponent by KO, and then is introduced for a later fight as having only 20 KOs instead of 21.
    • Quotes

      Dickie Eklund: Are you like me? Huh? Was this good enough to fight Sugar Ray? Never had to win, did I? You gotta do more in there. You gotta win a title. For you, for me, for Lowell. This is your time, all right? You take it. I had my time and I blew it. You don't have to. All right? You fuckin' get out there, and use all the shit that you've been through, all that fuckin' hell, all the shit we've gone through over the fuckin' years, and you put it in that ring right now. This is yours. This is fuckin' yours.

    • Crazy credits
      The real Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund are shown during the end credits.
    • Connections
      Featured in Maltin on Movies: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)
    • Soundtracks
      How You Like Me Now?
      Written by Kelvin Swaby, Dan Taylor, Spencer Page, Chris Ellul and Arlester Christian

      Performed by The Heavy

      Courtesy of Counter Records

    User reviews484

    Review
    Top review
    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.
    helpful•24
    6
    • Chrysanthepop
    • Jan 28, 2011

    FAQ3

    • Is "The Fighter" based on a book?
    • Did HBO make a documentary about Dicky Eklund?
    • What song is playing at the s end of the film as Micky and Dicky walk the streets?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 17, 2010 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Võ Sĩ
    • Filming locations
      • Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
    • Production companies
      • Closest to the Hole Productions
      • Fighter
      • Mandeville Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $25,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $93,617,009
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $300,010
      • Dec 12, 2010
    • Gross worldwide
      • $129,190,869
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 56 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • Dolby Surround 7.1
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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