The Fighter

Mark Wahlberg plays "Irish" Mickey Ward- who happens to be a real person. Mickey is the little half-brother of  Dickey Eklund (Christian Bale), a former welterweight whose claim to fame is knocking out Sugar Ray Leonard. Dickey is now a crack addict with not much of a brain left, but he is the prize of the family and the former pride of Lowell Mass, despite his problems. Mickey has let his possessive and toxic family ruin his chances, until he gets a street wise girlfriend (Amy Adams) who takes over. The story is  true and well written. Part of the curiosity of this movie is the role of Dickey Eklund. It is clear that it is a role that is so quirky and personal that only someone like Christian Bale could play it. Wahlberg could never have done it and been believable. So as a trade, Wahlberg plays the role of the manipulated Ward. In a way, he has gone the way of such notables as Winona Ryder when Angelina Jolie stole the entire film of Girl,Interrupted. Wahlberg had to know that Bale would walk away with the glory, but yet, he opted to make this movie. Curious. All of the cast is great. The story is entertaining. The boxing scenes leave a lot to be desired since there are such obviously faked punches. If you like boxing movies, and if you like Mark Wahlberg or Christian Bale, then you will love this movie. I was entertained by it, though Bale made me itch.