I should have posted this this weekend but I totally forgot, so apologies. I’ve had my say on “The Fighter” out of AFI Fest and there has been plenty of discussion on it here and there since. But it hit theaters nationwide Friday and many of you got a chance to take a look, so let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Comments
58 responses to “Tell us what you thought of ‘The Fighter’”
It’s a solid movie, but my praise for it ends there. Christian Bale and Melissa Leo were great, but their characters were also shallow, caricatures of villains I tell myself I’m supposed to hate. The script and the direction is predictable and feels trite. I’ve seen this before. I’ve felt this before. And a little part of me dies every time this movie is compared to Raging Bull and Rocky.
I loved it, it’s easily one of the year’s best films. The Fighter is definitely more family drama than it is sports film and I love it even more because of it.
The acting is aces, especially Bale. I grew up with an older brother very much like Dicky Eklund and Bale nailed that performance. Being a convincing crackhead isn’t all twitches and lost weight and crime. There’s a real slick side to dope fiends, charming car salesman like. And Bale found it.
Leo was also great. Again, my mum had a very similar relationship with my older brother and Leo was pitch perfect. I do think there was room for additional conflict towards the end of the film, so it does feel someone unresolved in that regard. But that’s life.
I thought Adams and Wahlberg were both serviceable in their roles, not much to talk about. The much talked about group of sisters are all hilarious, really over the top. But it somehow worked.
The decision to shoot the boxing matches in the style of the HBO special was genius. Between Hoyte van Hoytema’s work here and Matthew Libatique’s work on Black Swan, it’s the year of really innovative cinematography.
I’m not the biggest David O Russell fan but he did an incredible job with the film. It’s right up there with Three Kings.
I thought this film took a while to get started. The framing scenes at the beginning and the end with the two brothers on the couch simulating a documentary being made doesn’t work for me. I really only got involved in the film until 20 minutes after it started.
I enjoyed the acting and the loopy comic bits because they enhance what is a predictable narrative. But all the actors are fully invested in their roles which makes the viewer pay attention. Wahlberg held the film together for me and should be commended for his understated acting. I thought Bale was very good — but he actually gave a better performance in Rescue Dawn.
Leo is over the top but she manages not to become a monster which is pretty amazing. Adams shows impressive range after being so wimpy and forgettable in Doubt.
The film has a satisfying conclusion but I found it good not great. Given the awful movies being released right now it stands out, though. I felt sometimes like I was watching something that would appear on HBO, one of their better dramatic series.
I’m with Yih. Really enjoyed it, shocked it’s getting so much awards buzz. I think the performances are so good it’s making people think the movie is better than it is. Also didn’t feel very female-friendly, so I’m surprised by women loving it.
As Christoph said, I’m surprised it’s playing well with women. Maybe the mother love parts?
Excellent, excellent acting. Overall, I think it’s the best of any movie this year. Great soundtrack, too. I think the most interesting part was that Wahlberg’s character was an introvert. I don’t know anything about real boxing so idk the actual person, but the contrast between Bale’s extroverted pride-of-Lowell thing and Wahlberg’s I-just-wanna-box-leave-me-alone-please thing was really great. Having those two characters as brothers just made it all even better. I think most people aren’t loving Wahlberg’s performance as much because they didn’t realize he’s an introvert and expected him to be more like what his brother was actually like.
The only gripe I have is I wish there was more humor. The sisters… oh god the sisters… some of the funniest moments in any movie this year.
I found this to be a good-ish movie thanks to the GREAT acting.
I don’t think that David O. Russell exhibited much of a director’s panache. But he sure got a good editor to make the 115 minutes fly. And he got his actors to act their asses off. I enjoyed the humor; though, I actually could have gone for more of it.
-Mark Wahlberg – very good, better than anticipated. I think he’s best (and this is not a slam, at all) when he’s not talking.
-Christian Bale – incredible. I think he nailed it.
-Melissa Leo – QUITE the character she had to play, huh? That said, I thought Alice was somewhat underwritten. I kept expecting more from the character. Loved the kitchen/plate scene, though.
-Amy Adams – she impressed me big time. Loved Charlene, as a person. I think the Oscar is hers unless there is vote splitting btwn. her and the fantastic Melissa Leo.
-Jack McGee – so happy he got a SAG ensemble nom for this. He’s nearly as good as the rest.
8.5/10
David O. Russell’s “The Fighter” is a highly enjoyable and entertaining film that is both very funny and deeply moving. This is one of my favorite films to be released this year. Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund, played to perfection by both Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale in a role that is sure to win him many gold statues. But for me the real scene-stealer in this amazing cast is Amy Adams, who in my opinion it shouldn’t be a question give this woman the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. She really stepped up her game here, with a tour de force performance, she goes toe to toe with Christian Bale and Melissa Leo who chew the scenery up with their outstanding if slightly over the top performances, Adams gives the most multi-layered performance of everyone. “The Fighter” is such a gem of a film; it is a wonderfully acted and made film.
Crowd report: fairly busy for a Monday matinee. Some people clapped during the last fight scene. I heard lots of ‘that was good’, ‘that was pretty good’. My cousin who saw it with me – who I thought would LOVE it – said that there “weren’t enough fight scenes” {headscratch}.
Melissa Leo, Christian Bale and Amy Adams were incredible. The three of them brought such electrifying emotion to the movie. I disliked Mark Wahlberg and his character, I just don’t get enough emotion from him as an actor. Micky Ward didn’t get any sympathy from me. I didn’t find it a very inspirational story and I think that he was just a victim of his own choices.
So Matt, your take is like Ebert’s? (failure of lead character means the movie is poor as well) Or did you like it, but are irked by the Mickey/Wahlberg factor?
I loved The Fighter. Having seen so many 10/10 movies this year (including this now I am up to 7, very unusually high), I really was not expecting this to be the caliber that “Black Swan”, “The King’s Speech” and “The Social Network” were. I was proven very wrong. It’s a really well directed drama, and I was beaming at the end of the film. It was a very enjoyable experience. I was impressed with all four of the actors and I would like to see them all get recognized. Amy Adams I believe is the strongest, but Bale and Leo and Whalberg are all strong. I am happy to say that this is easily one of the best of the year.
Loved this movie. Easily the best ensemble of the year. Christian Bale gives the finest acting performance of the year too. Loved the sisters – hilarious. Really got choked up towards the end. Huge crowd pleaser that still could pull off a huge shock win at the Oscars.
I’m sort of confused why this year such a predictable movie is viewed as brilliant and last year a film like The Blind Side got trounced. I’m guessing its the acting, which is great. But the movie itself is so by the numbers. I enjoyed it but can’t believe the hype for the film itself. Acting awards I get.
Loved it. I already had my say on my blog, but I think the performances elevate an otherwise 7/10 film to a higher 9/10. Bale is nothing short of a revelation here. If he doesn’t win Best Supporting Actor, my god what a travesty that would be. RE: women’s reactions – I saw it with several women and they loved it even more than I did. I personally don’t see the misogyny reading, but whatever.
It’s an entertaining film, but has the feel of about three different films. I feel like an ensemble cast should all blend together, but here everyone is trying to outdo each other, I guess this is okay, but it’s also a problem.
Also, at moments Bale and Leo’s character felt like cartoons or caricatures, so I didn’t always feel for Dicky when I should.
I really liked Adams and Wahlberg, but in the end it’s about a 7/10.
Tyler said it very well, its good but all over the map. And I don’t know about misogyny per se, but the women are all loud, grotesque harpies except for Amy Adams, who is practically angelic. The sisters are funny but such shrieking stereotypes and did they have to be so unattractive?
JackJack, I would say it’s the acting, the editing, the pacing, and the fact that it’s tone is more realistic and not quite as fluffy as ‘The Blind Side’ is. I’m not saying fluffy is bad, I just think there is a stark difference.
Nelson, geez. 7 different 10/10’s for the year? 7! ? How many do you usually have per year. I usually average 1 or 2, if that. I’m curious. Would you just say you’re a high grader, or do you think this was an exceptional year? Can you list one highly regarded movie that came out recently that you haven’t liked (would give 5 or 6/10 etc).
Loved The Fighter. I’m not sure what else I can say that I haven’t said already, except that I can’t believe ANYONE would compare this movie to a film as despicable as The Blind Side. Maybe I wasn’t paying attention; JackJack, can you remind me of any scenes with overt, patronizing racism?
It took a while to get into the movie. For one, the documentary crew filming Dicky felt like a clumsy way to crow bar exposition into the movie. It did, however, win me over. Of course, Bale slam dunks the role, but the actors, many of them seemingly non actors, were exceptional as well. I loved the movie’s attention to place and detail (it felt like a period movie without being THE WEDDING SINGER about it), and I also loved how the screenplay, while structually sound, allowed the scenes and the drama to be messy. Overall a really great flick.
Good movie with great performances.
I like how they make the conflict between Micky’s two groups of supporters not all black-and-white; in most films, one side would be totally bad. Indeed, it initially looks like the mother and brother are this, but it eventually becomes a bit more complicated then that.
A character like Alice who can engender so much hatred the second she walks on the screen, cannot be overlooked. With that said, I felt that Adams and Bale also did an excellent job as did Wahlberg, though his performance was more nuanced and out of the four of them, is the most likely to go without being acknowledged.
Excellent movie, though I kinda’ felt the Breeders song was out of place in the beginning.
Solid movie, but I didn’t particularly buy the pay off.
I mentioned this elsewhere: right when the movie started losing me a bit, the last 25-30 minutes happened and completely bowled me over (emotionally). I maintain that it’s a goodish movie (O. Russell’s work), bolstered by great performances; Wahlberg included.
Great! 3.5 out of 4 starts. Had the editing been tighter to make the film less sluggish in parts, it would have been perfect.
Acting excellent overall. I prefer Adams for a supporting win over Leo, both completely different characters and out of the norm for both actresses.
Bale is the guy to beat come Oscar time. Wahlberg should get a leading actor nom, but he wont as it is seems dull compared to the more flashy supporting performances.
I think it will land nominations for pic, director(for getting those great performances out of the entire cast), screenplay, editing, 2 supporting actresses, 1 supporting actor.
My take is that Mark Wahlberg’s character is the centre of the movie. I found it really hard to connect emotionally with The Fighter because I didn’t like Micky Ward. He has an overbearing mother and a drug addicted brother and he stills thinks they’re going to lead him in the right direction. But I also found Mark Wahlberg rather vacant. Sometimes I fail to see the emotion in his eyes. If the movie was more focused on Christian Bale and his story of redemption, then I might have been more inspired.
I think it’s a very good movie but as a boxing fan, the “world title” fight at the end against Shea Neary was anything but. Shea Neary wasn’t an elite fighter at all and was considered a fighter with a padded record who fought bums. They should’ve ended it with the greatest fight of the new century: Ward-Gatti I. It would’ve made this movie from very good to great.
I very much liked Mickey Ward. I’m surprised people (Matt, in this case) didn’t like him. I thought Wahlberg gave him heart & subtlety.
The film really comes together during the climax. Before that I thought there were a lot of holes in the story (including the development of Micky and Charlene’s relationship.) Bale and Leo give showy performances that will probably win them Oscars (and then they’ll be laughed at later like Renee Zellweger in Cold Mountain.) I think Wahlberg is quite good playing it more low-key. Amy Adams is the real revelation here. After so many “innocent” parts, it’s great to see her doing an such an excellent job with a strong-willed character. I’ve also written more about this film on my blog.
You know what? I was underwhelmed by the movie, but I thought the acting was aces all the way around. Christian Bale was best in show, but I thought Mark Wahlberg’s and Melissa Leo’s performances were incredibly smart – the former internalizing to great effect around all the gigantic characters around him and the latter even better in quiet moments than in the big showy parts. The big-hair sisters were my absolute favorite part – absolutely hilarious! The comedy in the movie played better, I thought than the drama. And, despite my ambivalence, I still wanted to cheer when Micky won at the end, so it must have been more effective than I thought.
Funny. It seems like Wahlberg and Adams are getting lots of credit here (and elsewhere), while Bale and Leo are being relegated to the “they were loud and crazy and great” but nothing revelatory.
I loved them all. Bale may rightfully win his category at the Oscars. Leo has been winning lots of critics awards, which is awesome. But most surprising – to me – were Wahlberg and Adams.
This movie was not necessarily my thing, but I’m a fan of the filmmaker and most of the cast. Because (like many people) I may have expected less from the material, I was pleasantly surprised. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a solid entertainment, a total crowd-pleaser.
The majority of the performances are outstanding, but the “lead” (Wahlberg) is just serviceable typecasting. The fact is, he’s a cypher. I wish he had just exec produced this and cast a terrific talent like Jeremy Renner, Peter Sarsgaard or Damian Lewis (all born 1971, like Wahlberg) or even someone younger (like Ryan Gosling) in this role. Then the movie might have been an A+.
I agree that Mark Wahlberg is a major problem with the movie and that a better actor would have made the film better, but I still think that my biggest issue is that Micky Ward just isn’t a good enough character.
I really, really liked it. It moved me in a way this year’s crop hasn’t (TS3 comes close). I still have to see a couple films but this is easily in my top 3 or 4 thus far.
Wow I am so glad to read so many people feel the same as me about the film–great performances elevating an okay movie. I was really wondering what I was missing with all the hype.
I think a valid question was posed earlier about what elevates this above a traditional, predictable, feel-good sports flick. And thanks to JJ1 for giving a thoughtful, perceptive answer instead of just calling the questioner stupid.
Will? You “don’t buy the payoff?” It’s a true story! LOL
As much as critics compare it to other boxing movies, I think the film succeeds on a much deeper, more satisfying level. It’s full of humanity and moved me very much. I generally don’t care much for boxing movies. “The Fighter” isn’t one. It’s much more about brothers and family and getting involved with these two brothers, played beautifully by Wahlberg and Bale. The film’s raw energy is due to the direction and the editing which are, in my opinion, pretty close to flawless. By far my favorite film of the year.
Wow, so nice to see the majority of the IC community agreeing with me on this one. I was feeling pretty lonely in the Black Swan thread…
Kathy, your mention of the film’s energy is spot on. Without it, I think it’s a major failure. The near 10 minute scene when Dicky gets released and everyone is arguing in the gym was the best sequence in the film.
Like I mentioned in my previous post, the film feels like 3 different films stuffed into one movie. If I had to pick what I liked the best, it’s easily the story of how Micky is trying to pull away with the help of Charlene, that is what I found most compelling.
The Dicky stuff worked, but even the part where the documentary was finally revealed, I didn’t feel what I needed to feel at the moment, which is supposed to be a huge emotional scene.
I liked it a lot. I can see where Ebert was criticizing the character of Micky Ward for not being as interesting as he could have been portrayed on the screen, but Wahlberg still did a credible job. Everybody in the movie was terrific, really, but especially the supporting performances of Bale, Leo and Adams.
It was great. I hope Bale wins and Melissa Leo over True Grit kid. I`m sorry but I`m no fan of awarding complete newcomers who can easily have no career or no relevant career afterwards. Waste of gold if you give them one. Nom is OK but a win, nope. Leo for the win.
“I`m sorry but I`m no fan of awarding complete newcomers who can easily have no career or no relevant career afterwards. Waste of gold if you give them one.”
This has got to be among the most openly idiotic things I’ve heard around these parts.
Ninja, I bet that if you were to ask the winner, they wouldn’t tell you it was a waste of gold.
I liked it a lot… i didnt like the music choices though and would preferred a full score. Acting was great
And (this is a whole different level of nonsense) why should a girl who’s gotten so many good notices should have to be put into doubt that she would have a career? Or a relevant one (whatever that means). As far as I’m concerned she can do whatever she chooses as she does not owe anyone a promisory note in return for a right to compete for an Oscar.
Colin, thanks for the shout-out. I just think it’s immature to call anyone stupid (in life, or on the internet when chances are you don’t know the poster from a hill of beans). I always try to give somewhat thoughtful opinions whether in agreement or disagreement. It’s not always fun seeing people “go at it” online. And feelings are way too easily hurt.
My favorite film of the year, bar none. I cant remember ever seeing a film with such great performances and part of that credit goes to the director. Bale isnt the only one to act his ass off in this one. Emotionally invested from start to finish. Loved The Fighter!
I absolutely loved it. Moving, yet surprisingly funny & engaging. Incredible acting all around.
Christian Bale blew me away. I never thought he had it in him, and boy, was I wrong! Dead wrong.
I’ve always known that Melissa Leo was a great actress, and this again proves that she can do anything. She was a little over-the-top, but I believe it’s the character she plays that makes her so. I thought she was hilarious.
Amy Adams – amazing! While her performance was way more subtle than the other two, it’s her quiet expressions, her little gestures that make her so good. This actress has great range, contrary to what many believe.
Mark Wahlberg did fine. Good, even, compared to his other performances in the past. Should his acting not get as much credit as the others, he should at least be acknowledged for his physical training and his long fight to get this film made.
Excellent film, easily one of the best this year. I think David O. Russell superbly juggled mainstream entertainment with something altogether more meaningful, and found the right balance. Bale, Wahlberg and Leo were all excellent, but to be honest, I found Amy Adams’s performance to be the best-in-show. Great stuff.
After I saw it I remember thinking, Wow, great performances…but now, after a couple of days, looking back is like looking back at cartoons. Bale and Leo were way over the top. A good director would never have let them get to that point, and its Russell’s failure. He also failed by keeping the movie from being a seemless story, instead of, like the poster above said, three separate disjointed stories. I remember thinking at the end –no, no stay away from them! (His family) although I suppose you were supposed to feel happy that they all got together again in the end. They instead left me with an icky feeling. I also read, and it really bothered me, Melissa Leo saying that Russell would yell at her in the middle of a scene to get her to “give more’. So like I said, I blame him for the over the top performances, which may result an award or two but when looked back on will not hold up as great performances.
Lena, well it’s almost like ‘Doubt’. I remember that that film was the “ensemble acting” movie of ’08. Yet, some people thought that the 3 primary performances lacked nuance, especially Streep.
Here’s my take: I feel like Bale & Leo nailed the portrayals. I really do. But as you say, it IS as if O. Russell said ‘give more’ just a tad too much or for a beat too long.
Wahlberg & Adams – I think they were more level, and almost as effective as Bale & Leo, if not more, at times.
I still enjoyed the film and cried at the end. haha