The Fighter

Mark Wahlberg stars in the true-life story of boxer Mickey Ward who doesn't just have to fight other fighters to get ahead, but his entire crazy family.

If you can mange to get past the annoying mom and the 7 (or is it 8?) annoying sisters, this film is worth hanging on to the end. However, I have to say I almost walked out on this film twice. Senor Sock does not enjoy loud, annoying, shrewish women. Unless they're REALLY hot. And "Lil' Alice", "Pork", "Red Dog", "Tar", "Beaver" and the rest are definitely NOT hot.

Wahlberg is good as the "normal" member of the family and is convincing as a welterweight boxer. Amy Adams is of course hot enough to make theatres showing this film to put the air conditioning on HIGH. But Christian Bale as Dicky is a performance that makes this film stand out. I understand he hung out with Keanu Reeves for two weeks to see just how to play an insufferable jerk.

In the end, "The Fighter" is a story about brothers and about family and less a boxing movie (though there is a pretty decent fight or two along the way).

And unlike "The Next Three Days" when the set up line "does your face hurt"? Is tossed out, in comes Mom to deliver the punchline--"Well, its killin' me!"

Like Michael Spinks, Mickey Ward is the second of two boxers in his family. This includes 4 (or is it 5) loud shrewish sisters and his older brother Dicky (Christian Bale) who once fought Sugar Ray Leonard for the title and even knocked him down once before eventually losing the match. But he's still their mother Alice's (Melissa Leo) favorite, despite his irresponsibility, his drinking and his crack habit. These are the two responsible for managing Mickey's career. So is it surprising he's not going anywhere?

Then he meets a girl. Loud, foul mouthed, a failed college girl who now tends bar, Charlene Flemming (Amy Adams!) is just what Mickey needs to escape his crazy family and put his life together, even if he doesn't really know it himself. When his brother is arrested for a whole slew of offenses (including hitting a cop) Mickey decides to make a clean break and switch management, bringing on the wrath of Mama and his 5 (or is it 6) annoying shrewish sisters. He begins to have success in the ring. In the meantime Dicky gets himself dried out in prison and starts getting back into shape, trying to shed the image of family joke.

When Dicky gets out he naturally wants to go back to help training his brother. Only Mickey has promised his new trainer and managers (and Charlene) that Dicky won't be a part of his team any longer. Will he keep his promise or is family loyalty stronger? Will Charlene support him whatever decision he makes? And will his sisters EVER shut up? And what about...Naomi?

Mickey Ward's real life record was 38-13.

Matt Damon and Brad Pitt were both approached to play the Dicky part.

Sugar Ray Leonard and George Foreman play themselves. They both appeared on "Talk Soup" in 1996.

Mark Wahlberg trained in the ring for 4 years preparing for this role.

Have to give Christian Bale kudos here. After the "Batman" movies, "Termnator Salvation" and "Public Enemies", Bale could have choosen the easy route and just done a whole string of action hero movies, none particularly challenging. Instead he choose to play this boisterous drug addicted ex-fighter who can be dumb, can be annoying, and has more flaws than strengths. He turns the part of Dicky into a must-see performance that helps raise this film to more than just another boxing picture. He's really good.

The fight. A boxing movie without a good fight is like a donut without a hole. Or like Keanu Reeves going to an acting class. I mean, what's the point?

Russell comes through though with an effective final fight that is the highlight of the film.

Amy Adams, Amy Adams, Amy Adams. Whether she's wearing a tight skirt and a open shirt while tending bar or a see-through bra and black panties while frolickingwith Wahlberg, Amy Adams is a talent to be reconned with. She was outstanding in "Talledega Nights", "Drop Dead Gorgeous", "Doubt", "Charlie Wilson's War" and that bad sequel to "Night in the Museum." She was also good in "Charmed". She has an impressive body...of work.  Kermit must think so too because he has cast her in the new Muppet movie. We'll see what happens when the pig finds out.