anishThe Fighter : Far Better than Rocky
August 22nd 2011 06:54
The Fighter is (yet another) boxing underdog movie based on the true life story of the formative years of champion boxer "Irish" Mickey Ward (Mark Wahlberg).
Story of The Fighter
Budding boxer Mickey Ward is trying his utmost to carry on the 'legacy' of his brother Dickey who was once the challenger for the world title and is now having a movie made based on his life saga. But after a string of losses owing mostly to bad management on the part of his 'manager', Dickey's mother and his trainer, Dickey himself, his other support staff are adamant that he should disentangle himself from his dope smoking, law breaking half brother and start training in earnest.
In the meantime, Dickey is arrested and he is in for a rude surprise when he realizes that his autobiographical movie has less to do with his achievements as a boxer and focuses more on his malpractices and how his life went downhill after losing his shot at the world title.
But can Micky simply dump his best friend and long time trainer Dickey, specially when he knows that none of his well meaning support staff has neither Dickey's boxing acumen nor his profound understanding of Micky's unconventional style of boxing?
Review of The Fighter
Sports underdog movies are easily the most conventional and predictable of
all the genres and sub genres and so it is almost inconceivably difficult to create a sensational underdog movie. Yet, thanks to David O. Russel's powerful storytelling style The Fighter comes very very close to being that.
Though not exactly star-studded, The Fighter has an extremely potent and well balanced caste and full marks goes to Mark Wahlberg for wresting the spotlight away from Christian Bale who himself is at his brilliant best! Not, being very keen on boxing I was a bit hesitant to watch this movie but it was a real treat and I would recommend it to anyone irrespective of whether he or she enjoys contact sports or not!
Comparison with Rocky
If it is a boxing underdog movie worth its salt then it must hold its own against
one of the greatest cult classics, Sylvester Stallone's Rocky. And to its credit The Fighter goes way passed than just standing its ground. In fact, I honestly believe that it is way better than Rocky! To start with I have never thought much of Stallone's acting abilities outside of Rambo where as Mark Wahlberg does one hell of a job in The Fighter. Secondly, I think Christian Bale's cool and unpredictable Dickey plays a better foil to the hard working Micky than the hot headed and rather predictably jealous Paulie in Rocky. But as far as the love interest goes, I think Rocky scores just a touch higher because though Amy Adams is quite good in The Fighter she defintely lacks the inticracies and complexity of Adrian in Rocky.
Story of The Fighter
In the meantime, Dickey is arrested and he is in for a rude surprise when he realizes that his autobiographical movie has less to do with his achievements as a boxer and focuses more on his malpractices and how his life went downhill after losing his shot at the world title.
But can Micky simply dump his best friend and long time trainer Dickey, specially when he knows that none of his well meaning support staff has neither Dickey's boxing acumen nor his profound understanding of Micky's unconventional style of boxing?
Review of The Fighter
Sports underdog movies are easily the most conventional and predictable of
Though not exactly star-studded, The Fighter has an extremely potent and well balanced caste and full marks goes to Mark Wahlberg for wresting the spotlight away from Christian Bale who himself is at his brilliant best! Not, being very keen on boxing I was a bit hesitant to watch this movie but it was a real treat and I would recommend it to anyone irrespective of whether he or she enjoys contact sports or not!
Comparison with Rocky
If it is a boxing underdog movie worth its salt then it must hold its own against
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