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{{about|the 2010 boxing film|the 1952 boxing film|The Fighter (1952 film)|other uses|fighter (disambiguation)}}
the fighter is a story about marky mark's life following the new kids on the block. His brother just happens to look like batman, and has a serious addiction to drugs. Go figure. His mom looks like emperor palpatine, and his father looks like Jackie Gleason if he watched all 2.5 hours of the happening.


{{Infobox film
also his sisters are all larry the cable guy post-op
| name = The Fighter
| image = The Fighter Poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = ]
| producer = David Hoberman<br>Todd Lieberman<br>]<br>]<br>Dorothy Aufiero<br>Paul Tamasy<br>(executive producer)<br>]
| screenplay = ]<br>Paul Tamasy<br>Eric Johnson
| story = Keith Dorrington<br>Paul Tamasy<br>Eric Johnson
| starring = ]<br>]<br>]<br>]
| music = ]
| editing = ]
| cinematography = ]
| studio = ]<br/>]<br/>]<br />Closest to the Hole
| distributor = ] (US)<br>The Weinstein Company (non-US)
| released = {{Film date|2010|12|17}}
| runtime = 115 minutes<ref>DeBruge, Peter. (review). '']'', November 10, 2010</ref><ref> (movie details), '']'' "Blue Sheets"</ref>
| country = {{Film US}}
| language = English
| budget = $25 million<ref name=fji />
| gross = $129,190,869<ref name=mojo>{{cite web |url= http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=fighter10.htm |title= The Fighter(2010) |publisher= Amazon.com | work = ] |accessdate= 2011-04-12}}</ref>
}}
'''''The Fighter''''' is a 2010 ] ] ] directed by ], and starring ], ], ] and ]. The film centers on the life of professional ] ] (Wahlberg) and his older half-brother ] (Bale). The film also stars ] as Micky's love interest, and ] as Micky's and Dicky's mother. ''The Fighter'' is Russell and Wahlberg's third film collaboration, following '']'' and '']''.


The film was released in select ]n theaters on December 17, 2010 and was released in the ] on February 4, 2011.<ref>. . Retrieved June 24, 2010.</ref> It was nominated for seven ], including ] and ], winning the awards for ] (]) and ] (]). It was the first film to win both awards since '']'' in 1986.{{Citation needed|date=February 2011}}
and batman jumps out of windows
==Plot==
] (]) is an ] ] boxer from a working class family in ]. Managed by his mother, Alice Ward (]), and trained by his older half-brother, ] (]), Micky has not had a particularly successful career: He's become a "stepping stone" for other boxers to defeat on their way up. Complicating matters, Dicky, a former boxer whose peak of success was knocking ] down in an ] televised match, has fallen apart since his early success, becoming addicted to ]. He is now being filmed for an HBO documentary he believes to be about his "comeback".

On the night of an ] in ], Micky's scheduled opponent is ill, and a substitute is found who is 18 pounds heavier than Micky. Despite Micky's reservations, his mother and brother agree to the terms so that they can all get the ]. Micky is soundly defeated by the much heavier fighter in an obvious mismatch. Frustrated with his career and embarrassed by his defeat, Micky tries to retreat from the world and forms a relationship with Charlene Fleming (]), a former college athlete who dropped out and became a bartender.

After several weeks, Alice arranges another fight for Micky, who, concerned it will turn out the same as before, shows serious hesitation. His mother and seven sisters blame Charlene for his lack of motivation. Micky mentions that he's received an offer to be paid to train in ], but Dicky says he will match the offer so he can keep training and working with his family. Dicky then tries to get money by posing his girlfriend as a prostitute and then, once she picks up a client, impersonating a police officer to steal the client's car. This is quickly foiled by the actual police and Dicky is arrested after a chase and a fight with them. Micky intervenes to try to stop the police from beating his brother, but a police officer breaks his hand before arresting him. At trial, Micky is released but Dicky is sent to jail. Finally fed up, Micky washes his hands of Dicky.

On the night of the HBO documentary, Dicky's family, and Dicky himself in prison, are horrified to see it is '']'', a documentary about how crack addiction ruined Dicky's career and life. Devastated, Dicky begins training and trying to get his life together in prison. Micky is lured back into boxing by his father, who believes Alice and his stepson Dicky are bad influences. Gathering the other members of his training team and finding a new manager, Sal Lonano, they convince Micky to return to boxing with the explicit understanding that his mother and brother will no longer be involved. They place Micky in minor fights to help him regain his confidence. He is then offered another major fight against an undefeated up-and-coming boxer. During a prison visit, Dicky advises Micky on how best to work his opponent, but Micky feels his brother is being selfish and trying to restart his own failed career. During the actual match, Micky is nearly overwhelmed at the beginning but, remembering his brother's advice, alters his strategy and is eventually triumphant; he earns the title shot for which his opponent was being groomed.

Upon his release from prison, Dicky and his mother go to see Micky train. Assuming things are as they were, Dicky prepares to spar with his brother, but Micky informs him that he's no longer allowed per Micky's agreement with his current team. In the ensuing argument, in which Micky chastises both factions of his family, Charlene and his trainer leave in disgust. Micky and Dicky spar, brought to an abrupt end when Micky knocks Dicky down. Dicky storms off, presumably to get high again, and Micky's mother chides Micky, only to be sobered when he tells her that she has always favored Dicky. Dicky returns to his crack house, where he says goodbye to his friends and heads to Charlene's apartment. He tells her that Micky needs both of them and they need to work together. After bringing everyone back together, the group goes to ] for the title fight. Micky scores another upset victory and the welterweight title. The film jumps a few years ahead, with Dicky, as talkative as ever, crediting his brother as being the creator of his own success.

==Cast==
*] as ]: Wahlberg elected to star in the film due to his friendship with Ward, based on their similar Irish-Catholic, inner-city working class Massachusetts upbringings<ref name=About/>, and of being in families of nine kids. Wahlberg also was a huge fan of Ward's, calling him a "local sports hero."<ref name=nose>{{cite news | author = Kimberly Nordyke | url =
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mark-wahlberg-making-fighter-obsession-48309 | title = Mark Wahlberg on Why Making 'The Fighter' Became an Obsession | date = 2010-11-23 | work = The Hollywood Reporter | accessdate = 2010-12-05}}</ref> The actor was also attracted to the film's central theme, of having an ordinary person in "an against-all-odds story," which he previously explored in '']''.<ref name=sports/> To mimic Ward's habits and mannerisms, Wahlberg had him "on set, watching me every single day."<ref name=ring>{{cite news | first= Shawn |last=Adler | url =http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/06/30/mark-wahlberg-reveals-the-fighter-will-take-the-ring-this-fall/ | title =Mark Wahlberg Reveals 'The Fighter' Will Take The Ring This Fall | date = 2008-06-2008 | work = MTV News | accessdate = 2010-12-04}}</ref> During pre-production, the Ward brothers temporarily moved into Wahlberg's home..<ref name=working>{{cite news | first= Lynda |last =Gorov | url = http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2010/12/05/mark_wahlberg_revisits_his_working_class_roots_for_his_role_in_the_fighter/ | title = Mark & Micky | date = 2010-12-05 | work = ] | accessdate = 2010-12-05}}</ref> To add to the film's realistic nature, Wahlberg refused a stunt double and took real punches during the fight scenes,<ref name=sports>{{cite news | author = Staff | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/05/sports/05seconds.html | title = In Sports, Wahlberg Finds Stories That Inspire | date = 2010-12-04 | work = The New York Times | accessdate = 2010-12-05}}</ref> which resulted in him nearly getting his nose broken a couple of times.<ref name=nose/> Wahlberg underwent a strict bodybuilding exercise regimen, dedicating over four years of training to obtain the muscular physique to convincingly play Ward. "The last six movies I did I was also secretly preparing for ''The Fighter'' at the same time," the actor continued, "so I would leave three hours early for work and go to the gym and spend three hours there. I would bring the trainers with me on every movie that I did."<ref name=Collider>{{cite news | first= Steve |last =Weintraub | url =http://www.collider.com/2010/08/04/mark-wahlberg-interview-the-other-guys-celtics-the-fighter-the-brazilian-job/ | title = Mark Wahlberg Exclusive Interview: The Other Guys; Also Talks Celtics and Future Projects like The Fighter, The Brazilian Job, More | date = 2010-08-04 | work = Collider.com | accessdate = 2010-12-04}}</ref> His uncertainty over the film's development was overruled by his persistence to get the film made. "There were certainly times where I would wake up at 4:30 in the morning, you know, my trainer would ring the bell, and, 'Oh God,' I'm like, 'I better get this movie made.' You know, 'Kill somebody if I don't get this movie made.'"<ref name=nose/> Wahlberg hired ] as his boxing trainer, helping the actor model Ward's specific fighting style.<ref name=sports/> The last two years of Wahlberg's training resulted in the construction of a "dream gym" in his house for daily use, with a personal boxing ring.<ref name=Evolution>{{cite news | first= Mike|last= Zimmerman | url = http://www.menshealth.com/celebrity-fitness/mark-wahlberg-fighter-workout | title = The Mark Wahlberg Workout: Wahlberg's Theory of Evolution | date = 2010-09-15 | work = Men's Health | accessdate = 2010-12-04}}</ref> He received additional boxing preparation from ].<ref>{{cite news | author = Susan R. Nepales | url = http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/291003/wahlberg-treasures-friendship-with-pacquiao| title = Wahlberg treasures friendship with Pacquiao | date = 2010-12053 | work = Manila Bulletin | accessdate = 2010-12-05}}</ref>
*] as ]: After both ] and ] dropped out due to scheduling conflicts,<ref name=About/> Wahlberg suggested Bale for the role after meeting the actor at a preschool their young daughters both attended.<ref name=talking>{{cite news | first = Dennis |last=Lim | url =http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/05/movies/05bale.html| title = Letting His Role Do the Talking | date = 2010-12-03 | work = The New York Times | accessdate = 2010-12-04}}</ref> Given Eklund's drug addiction, Bale had to lose weight, which he found easy as he previously went through the task of losing sixty-three pounds in 2003 for '']''.<ref name=Esquire>{{cite news | first = John H. |last = Richardson | url = http://www.esquire.com/features/christian-bale-interview-1210-3 | title = Christian Bale May Kill Someone Yet | date = 2010-11-15 | work = Esquire | accessdate = 2010-12-04}}</ref> Bale researched the part by taking notes on Eklund's mannerisms and recording conversations<ref name=talking/> for the character's distinct ].<ref name=working/> Director David O. Russell believed Bale's task involved far more than mimicry. "Dicky has a whole rhythm to him, a music. Christian had to understand how his mind works." Russell and Eklund were both impressed by Bale's dedication to staying in character throughout filming.<ref name=talking/> Bale went on to win the ] at the ] for his role as Eklund.
*] as Charlene Fleming: Russell said of the actress, "There are very few things that a director can have at his disposal better than an actress who's dying to break type and is extremely motivated to break type. Amy was extremely motivated to play a sexy bitch and that's who the character of Charlene is. ... She said, 'As long as it happens between action and cut, I'll do anything." And I said, "That's my kind of actress.' I loved that she had that attitude."<ref name=fji>]. ] and David O. Russell Champion 'The Fighter'"], ''Film Journal International'', December 3, 2010<!--Page is not archivable at WebCitation.org--></ref> Adams was nominated for the ] at the 83rd Academy Awards for her role.
*] as Alice Ward, mother to both fighters and seven additional siblings, all sisters. Leo won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 83rd Academy Awards for her role.
*] as George Ward, Micky's father.
*] as Sal LoNano
*Mickey O'Keefe as himself: Lowell, Massachusetts, police sergeant O'Keefe was Ward's real-life trainer. O'Keefe, who had never acted, was hesitant at first, but Wahlberg told him he could do it because as a police officer, he has to act and think fast on his feet.<ref name=lowellsun>Savard, Rita. , ''Lowell Sun'', December 10, 2010</ref>
*] as Micky's sister Cindy "Tar" Eklund
*] plays himself, making a cameo appearance as a guest commentator at the Ward/Mungin match.

==Production==
] acquired the ] of boxer Micky Ward and his brother, Dick Eklund, in July 2003. ] and ] were also hired to write the screenplay,<ref>{{cite news | author = Staff | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117890229 | title = Scout Wins Boxing Tale | date = 2003-07-31 | work = ] | accessdate = 2010-12-04}}</ref> which was rewritten by ].<ref name=Attan/> ] joined the production in early 2005,<ref name=Evolution/> with the intention of doing Ward's life story "justice. We don't want to do any over-the-top, unrealistic fight scenes."<ref name=rumble>{{cite news | first= Brian |last=Jacks | url =http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/07/09/wahlberg-ready-to-rumble-for-aronofskys-fighter/ | title =Wahlberg Ready To Rumble For Aronofsky's 'Fighter' | date = 2007-07-09 | work = ] | accessdate = 2010-12-04}}</ref> ], the United States distributor of the film, hired ] to rewrite Collick's draft in February 2007 in an attempt to emphasize the themes of brotherhood and redemption. Hoping to start production in Massachusetts in June 2007,<ref name=Attan>{{cite news | first= Michael |last=Fleming | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117959451 | title = Wahlberg, Damon step into ring | date = 2007-02-13 | work = ] | accessdate = 2010-12-04}}</ref> Wahlberg had ] read the screenplay, hoping he would direct. Scorsese turned down the offer, finding the Massachusetts-setting redundant after having finished '']''.<ref name=score/> The actor cited Scorsese's '']'' as an influence for ''The Fighter'',<ref name="rumble"/> but Scorsese was not interested in directing another boxing film.<ref name=score>{{cite news | author = "Stax" (pseudonym) | url = http://movies.ign.com/articles/766/766656p1.html | title = Wahlberg Talks The Fighter | work = ] | date = 2007-02-22 | accessdate = =2010-12-04}}</ref> ] was hired to direct in March 2007,<ref>{{cite news | author= Fleming, Michael, and Pamela McClintock | url =http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117961861 | title = Aronofsky in talks to direct 'Fighter' | date = 2007-03-26 | work = ] | accessdate = 2010-12-04}}</ref> with ] rewriting the script in September 2007.<ref>{{cite news | author = Fleming, Michael, and Tatiana Siegel | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117972382 | title = Brad Pitt laces up for 'Fighter' | work = ] | date = 2007-09-20 | accessdate = 2010-12-04}}</ref>
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:30em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" | "I’ve seen every boxing movie ever made. I’m also a huge fight fan. I fought a little bit when I was younger. Nobody in my opinion, and some of the greatest movies ever made – you talk '']'' and '']'' I saw 30 times – but the fighting just wasn’t as realistic as what we hope to achieve and accomplish in this movie."
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | — ] in an October 2007 interview<ref name=About/>
|}
Production proceeded with filming set to begin October 2008<ref name=ring/> and ] replacing Brad Pitt.<ref name=working/> By then Aronofsky had dropped out to work on MGM's currently aborted ],<ref>Pedersen, Nicole. , Collider.com, July 25, 2008</ref> followed by '']''.<ref name=Darren/> Wahlberg and Bale chose ] as Aronofsky's replacement. Wahlberg had also starred in Russell's '']'' and '']''.<ref name=working/> Aronofsky was given an ] credit for his contributions on ''The Fighter'', and was enthusiastic to have Russell as the director.<ref name=Darren>{{cite news | first= Drew |last=Taylor | url =http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/archives/2010/12/02/darren_aronofsky_black_swan_interview | title = Exclusive: Darren Aronofsky Talks Natalie Portman's Terrors & Metamorphosis' in 'Black Swan' | date = 2010-12-02 | work = ] | accessdate = 2010-12-04}}</ref> In April 2009, ] stepped up to entirely finance the film,<ref>{{cite news | author = Fleming, Michael,, and Tatiana Siegel | url =http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002638 | title =Bale in ring with Wahlberg for 'Fighter' | date = 2009-04-20 | work = ] | accessdate = 2010-12-04}}</ref> selling the international distribution rights to ] a month later.<ref>{{cite news | first= Sharon|last= Swart | url =http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118004022 | title = TWC steps in ring with 'Fighter' | date = 2009-05-20 | work = ] | accessdate = 2010-12-04}}</ref> ''The Fighter'' began principal photography on July 13, 2009, on an $11 million budget in a 33-day ],<ref name=working/> which was half the budget that Paramount was working with.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deadline.com/2011/02/oscar-moguls-brad-grey-qa/ |title=OSCAR MOGULS: Brad Grey Q&A|publisher= www.deadline.com |accessdate= 2011-03-05|quote= Now on The Fighter, Paramount was developing it and then pulled out. Relativity comes in and cuts the budget by half.|author= Nikki Finke|date= 2011-02-13}}</ref> The production utilized Massachusetts' ] to cover parts of the film's cost.<ref name="hwoodreporter1122011">{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/massachusetts-tax-credits-cover-stars-70982 | title=Massachusetts Tax Credits Used to Cover Stars' Salaries | work=The Hollywood Reporter | date=2011-01-12 | accessdate=2011-04-26}}. .</ref>

The movie was filmed on location in Ward's hometown of ], ]. Its boxing matches were shot at the ], and gym scenes at Arthur Ramalho's West End Gym, one of the real-life facilities where Ward had trained.<ref name=fji /><ref>Sackowitz, Karen. , '']'', June 10, 2010. .</ref> The boxing-match footage was created "in big, choreographed sections that were taken directly from Micky's actual fights," said Russell. "And we used the actual commentary from ], ] and ]." Russell used "he actual cameras from that era. a sort of Beta camera that gave a very certain look, and we actually hired the director from HBO and his crew who had done those fights"<ref name=fji /> to replicate them ].<ref name=About>{{cite news | first= Rebecca|last= Murray | url =http://movies.about.com/od/weownthenight/a/weownmw100407.htm| title =] Discusses We Own the Night | date = 2007-10-04 | work = ] | accessdate = 2010-12-04}}</ref><ref name=Evolution/>

==Release==
To promote the film, Wahlberg appeared on the cover of '']'' and '']'', and Bale on '']'',<ref name=Esquire/> in November 2010. An advanced charity premiere took place in Lowell, Massachusetts, the setting of ''The Fighter'', on December 9, a day before the film's scheduled national release.<ref>{{cite news | first= George |last=Kimball | url = http://news.bostonherald.com/sports/other_sports/boxing/view/20101205fighter_more_fiction_than_fact/srvc=home&position=recent | title = 'Fighter' more fiction than fact | date = 2010-12-05 | work = ] | accessdate = 2010-12-05}}</ref>

===Home media===
''The Fighter'' was released in a Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack and standard DVD in the US on March 15, 2011.

==Reception==
===Critical response===
''The Fighter'' has received critical acclaim. Critics have praised the performances of Wahlberg, Bale, Adams and Leo. Review aggregate ] reports that 90% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 174 reviews, with an average score of 8.0/10. The critical consensus is: "Led by a trio of captivating performances from ], ], and ], ''The Fighter'' is a solidly entertaining, albeit predictable, entry in the boxing drama genre."<ref>{{rotten-tomatoes|the-fighter|The Fighter}}</ref> Metacritic gave the film an average score of 79/100, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{metacritic film|the-fighter|The Fighter}}</ref>

Due to the film's involving boxing, ''Ring Magazine'' also gave its critique, saying that because it left out the Trilogy with ] it was like doing a movie about the entire life of President ] and not including ].

'']'' dubbed the film the best sports movie of the decade and "one of the best since ] backlit ]'s Jake LaMotta in '']''.".<ref name="SI">{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1179907/index.htm|title=And New Champion ...|first=Pablo S. |last=Torre|accessdate=December 20, 2010|work=]}}</ref>

===Accolades===
The film received 7 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nbrmp.org/awards/ | title = Awards for 2010 | work = ] | accessdate = 2010-12-05}}</ref>The film was nominated for six ] Awards. Best Picture (Drama), Best Actor (Drama) for Wahlberg, Best Supporting Actress for Leo and Adams, Best Supporting Actor for Bale, and a nomination for Best Director for Russell.<ref name="goldenglobes.org">{{cite web|author=Tuesday, December 14, 2010 |url=http://www.goldenglobes.org/blog/2010/12/the-68th-annual-golden-globe-awards-nominations/ |title=The 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards NOMINATIONS &#124; OFFICIAL WEBSITE of the HFPA and the GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS |publisher=Goldenglobes.org |date=2010-12-14 |accessdate=2011-01-27}}</ref> The film received three Chicago Film Critics award nominations, Best Supporting Actor for ], and Best Supporting Actress nominations for ] and ]. ] won a ], the ], and the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. ] won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress.
] won the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;" ;
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! colspan="4" style="background: LightSteelBlue;" | Awards
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! Ceremony
! Category
! Name
! Outcome
|-
|rowspan=7|<center>''']'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Surprises amid the 83rd Oscar nominations|url=http://bostonherald.com/blogs/entertainment/hollywood_mine/?p=533&srvc=home&position=recent|accessdate=25 January 2011|author=Stephen Schaefer}}</ref>
|]
|
|{{nom}}
|-
|]
|David O. Russell
|{{nom}}
|-
|]
|]
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan=2|]
|]
|{{nom}}
|-
|]
|{{won}}
|-
|]
|Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson & Keith Dorrington
|{{nom}}
|-
|]
|Pamela Martin
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=3|<center>''']<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/awards-campaign-2009/posts/the-kings-speech-leads-bafta-film-awards-with-14-nominations|title='The King's Speech' leads BAFTA Film Awards with 14 nominations}}</ref>
|]
|]
|{{nom}}
|-
|]
|]
|{{nom}}
|-
|]
|Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson & Keith Dorrington
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=6|<center>''']<ref>{{cite web|title=Critics' Choice Awards|url=http://www.bfca.org/ccawards/2010.php|accessdate=15 January 2011}}</ref>
|]
|
|{{nom}}
|-
|]
|]
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan=2|]
|]
|{{nom}}
|-
|]
|{{won}}
|-
|]
|
|{{won}}
|-
|]
|Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson & Keith Dorrington
|{{nom}}
|-
|<center>''']
|]
|David O. Russell
|{{nom}}
|-
|<center>''']s'''<ref>{{cite news|url=http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/6767665/2011-espy-awards-winners-revealed-los-angeles |title=Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki win at ESPYs |work=] |date=July 13, 2011 |accessdate=July 14, 2011}}</ref>
| ]
|
| {{won}}
|-
|rowspan=6|<center>''']<ref name="goldenglobes.org"/>
|]
|
|{{nom}}
|-
|]
|David O. Russell
|{{nom}}
|-
|]
|]
|{{nom}}
|-
|]
|]
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan=2|]
|]
|{{nom}}
|-
|]
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan=4|<center>''']<ref>{{cite web|title=The 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards|url=http://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/17th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards|accessdate=18 January 2011}}</ref>
|]
|
|{{nom}}
|-
|]
|]
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan=2|]
|]
|{{nom}}
|-
|]
|{{Won}}
|}

==Sequel==
Actor ] has expressed interest in creating a single sequel to ''The Fighter'', with much of the original cast. According to him, it would focus on ]'s three "epic battles" with professional boxer ].<ref>{{cite news | first=Jeff|last=Labrecque| url = http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/15/mark-wahlberg-the-fighter-bluray/ | title = ] on 'The Fighter 2': 'We're talking about one more run at it' -- EXCLUSIVE | work = ] | date = 2011-03-15 | accessdate = =2011-03-15}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{S-start}}
{{S-ach|aw}}
{{S-bef|before='']}}
{{S-ttl|title=Academy Award winner for<br>] and ]}}
{{End}}

==External links==
{{Portal box|Film|Massachusetts}}
* {{Official website|http://www.thefightermovie.com}}
* {{IMDb title|0964517|The Fighter}}
* {{Allmovie title|389400|The Fighter}}
* {{mojo title|fighter10|The Fighter}}

{{David O. Russell}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fighter}}
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Revision as of 04:14, 28 September 2011

This article is about the 2010 boxing film. For the 1952 boxing film, see The Fighter (1952 film). For other uses, see fighter (disambiguation). 2010 Template:Film US film
The Fighter
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDavid O. Russell
Screenplay byScott Silver
Paul Tamasy
Eric Johnson
Story byKeith Dorrington
Paul Tamasy
Eric Johnson
Produced byDavid Hoberman
Todd Lieberman
Ryan Kavanaugh
Mark Wahlberg
Dorothy Aufiero
Paul Tamasy
(executive producer)
Darren Aronofsky
StarringMark Wahlberg
Christian Bale
Melissa Leo
Amy Adams
CinematographyHoyte van Hoytema
Edited byPamela Martin
Music byMichael Brook
Production
companies		Relativity Media
The Weinstein Company
Mandeville Films
Closest to the Hole
Distributed byParamount Pictures (US)
The Weinstein Company (non-US)
Release date
  • December 17, 2010 (2010-12-17)
Running time115 minutes
CountryTemplate:Film US
LanguageEnglish
Budget$25 million
Box office$129,190,869

The Fighter is a 2010 biographical sports drama film directed by David O. Russell, and starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo and Amy Adams. The film centers on the life of professional boxer "Irish" Micky Ward (Wahlberg) and his older half-brother Dicky Eklund (Bale). The film also stars Amy Adams as Micky's love interest, and Melissa Leo as Micky's and Dicky's mother. The Fighter is Russell and Wahlberg's third film collaboration, following Three Kings and I Heart Huckabees.

The film was released in select North American theaters on December 17, 2010 and was released in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2011. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, winning the awards for Best Supporting Actor (Christian Bale) and Best Supporting Actress (Melissa Leo). It was the first film to win both awards since Hannah and Her Sisters in 1986.

Plot

Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) is an Irish-American welterweight boxer from a working class family in Lowell, Massachusetts. Managed by his mother, Alice Ward (Melissa Leo), and trained by his older half-brother, Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale), Micky has not had a particularly successful career: He's become a "stepping stone" for other boxers to defeat on their way up. Complicating matters, Dicky, a former boxer whose peak of success was knocking Sugar Ray Leonard down in an HBO televised match, has fallen apart since his early success, becoming addicted to crack cocaine. He is now being filmed for an HBO documentary he believes to be about his "comeback".

On the night of an undercard fight in Atlantic City, Micky's scheduled opponent is ill, and a substitute is found who is 18 pounds heavier than Micky. Despite Micky's reservations, his mother and brother agree to the terms so that they can all get the purse. Micky is soundly defeated by the much heavier fighter in an obvious mismatch. Frustrated with his career and embarrassed by his defeat, Micky tries to retreat from the world and forms a relationship with Charlene Fleming (Amy Adams), a former college athlete who dropped out and became a bartender.

After several weeks, Alice arranges another fight for Micky, who, concerned it will turn out the same as before, shows serious hesitation. His mother and seven sisters blame Charlene for his lack of motivation. Micky mentions that he's received an offer to be paid to train in Las Vegas, but Dicky says he will match the offer so he can keep training and working with his family. Dicky then tries to get money by posing his girlfriend as a prostitute and then, once she picks up a client, impersonating a police officer to steal the client's car. This is quickly foiled by the actual police and Dicky is arrested after a chase and a fight with them. Micky intervenes to try to stop the police from beating his brother, but a police officer breaks his hand before arresting him. At trial, Micky is released but Dicky is sent to jail. Finally fed up, Micky washes his hands of Dicky.

On the night of the HBO documentary, Dicky's family, and Dicky himself in prison, are horrified to see it is High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell, a documentary about how crack addiction ruined Dicky's career and life. Devastated, Dicky begins training and trying to get his life together in prison. Micky is lured back into boxing by his father, who believes Alice and his stepson Dicky are bad influences. Gathering the other members of his training team and finding a new manager, Sal Lonano, they convince Micky to return to boxing with the explicit understanding that his mother and brother will no longer be involved. They place Micky in minor fights to help him regain his confidence. He is then offered another major fight against an undefeated up-and-coming boxer. During a prison visit, Dicky advises Micky on how best to work his opponent, but Micky feels his brother is being selfish and trying to restart his own failed career. During the actual match, Micky is nearly overwhelmed at the beginning but, remembering his brother's advice, alters his strategy and is eventually triumphant; he earns the title shot for which his opponent was being groomed.

Upon his release from prison, Dicky and his mother go to see Micky train. Assuming things are as they were, Dicky prepares to spar with his brother, but Micky informs him that he's no longer allowed per Micky's agreement with his current team. In the ensuing argument, in which Micky chastises both factions of his family, Charlene and his trainer leave in disgust. Micky and Dicky spar, brought to an abrupt end when Micky knocks Dicky down. Dicky storms off, presumably to get high again, and Micky's mother chides Micky, only to be sobered when he tells her that she has always favored Dicky. Dicky returns to his crack house, where he says goodbye to his friends and heads to Charlene's apartment. He tells her that Micky needs both of them and they need to work together. After bringing everyone back together, the group goes to London for the title fight. Micky scores another upset victory and the welterweight title. The film jumps a few years ahead, with Dicky, as talkative as ever, crediting his brother as being the creator of his own success.

Cast

  • Mark Wahlberg as 'Irish' Micky Ward: Wahlberg elected to star in the film due to his friendship with Ward, based on their similar Irish-Catholic, inner-city working class Massachusetts upbringings, and of being in families of nine kids. Wahlberg also was a huge fan of Ward's, calling him a "local sports hero." The actor was also attracted to the film's central theme, of having an ordinary person in "an against-all-odds story," which he previously explored in Invincible. To mimic Ward's habits and mannerisms, Wahlberg had him "on set, watching me every single day." During pre-production, the Ward brothers temporarily moved into Wahlberg's home.. To add to the film's realistic nature, Wahlberg refused a stunt double and took real punches during the fight scenes, which resulted in him nearly getting his nose broken a couple of times. Wahlberg underwent a strict bodybuilding exercise regimen, dedicating over four years of training to obtain the muscular physique to convincingly play Ward. "The last six movies I did I was also secretly preparing for The Fighter at the same time," the actor continued, "so I would leave three hours early for work and go to the gym and spend three hours there. I would bring the trainers with me on every movie that I did." His uncertainty over the film's development was overruled by his persistence to get the film made. "There were certainly times where I would wake up at 4:30 in the morning, you know, my trainer would ring the bell, and, 'Oh God,' I'm like, 'I better get this movie made.' You know, 'Kill somebody if I don't get this movie made.'" Wahlberg hired Freddie Roach as his boxing trainer, helping the actor model Ward's specific fighting style. The last two years of Wahlberg's training resulted in the construction of a "dream gym" in his house for daily use, with a personal boxing ring. He received additional boxing preparation from Manny Pacquiao.
  • Christian Bale as Dick "Dicky" Eklund: After both Brad Pitt and Matt Damon dropped out due to scheduling conflicts, Wahlberg suggested Bale for the role after meeting the actor at a preschool their young daughters both attended. Given Eklund's drug addiction, Bale had to lose weight, which he found easy as he previously went through the task of losing sixty-three pounds in 2003 for The Machinist. Bale researched the part by taking notes on Eklund's mannerisms and recording conversations for the character's distinct Boston accent. Director David O. Russell believed Bale's task involved far more than mimicry. "Dicky has a whole rhythm to him, a music. Christian had to understand how his mind works." Russell and Eklund were both impressed by Bale's dedication to staying in character throughout filming. Bale went on to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor at the 83rd Academy Awards for his role as Eklund.
  • Amy Adams as Charlene Fleming: Russell said of the actress, "There are very few things that a director can have at his disposal better than an actress who's dying to break type and is extremely motivated to break type. Amy was extremely motivated to play a sexy bitch and that's who the character of Charlene is. ... She said, 'As long as it happens between action and cut, I'll do anything." And I said, "That's my kind of actress.' I loved that she had that attitude." Adams was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 83rd Academy Awards for her role.
  • Melissa Leo as Alice Ward, mother to both fighters and seven additional siblings, all sisters. Leo won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 83rd Academy Awards for her role.
  • Jack McGee as George Ward, Micky's father.
  • Frank Renzulli as Sal LoNano
  • Mickey O'Keefe as himself: Lowell, Massachusetts, police sergeant O'Keefe was Ward's real-life trainer. O'Keefe, who had never acted, was hesitant at first, but Wahlberg told him he could do it because as a police officer, he has to act and think fast on his feet.
  • Erica McDermott as Micky's sister Cindy "Tar" Eklund
  • Sugar Ray Leonard plays himself, making a cameo appearance as a guest commentator at the Ward/Mungin match.

Production

Scout Productions acquired the life rights of boxer Micky Ward and his brother, Dick Eklund, in July 2003. Eric Johnson and Paul Tamasy were also hired to write the screenplay, which was rewritten by Lewis Colick. Mark Wahlberg joined the production in early 2005, with the intention of doing Ward's life story "justice. We don't want to do any over-the-top, unrealistic fight scenes." Paramount Pictures, the United States distributor of the film, hired Paul Attanasio to rewrite Collick's draft in February 2007 in an attempt to emphasize the themes of brotherhood and redemption. Hoping to start production in Massachusetts in June 2007, Wahlberg had Martin Scorsese read the screenplay, hoping he would direct. Scorsese turned down the offer, finding the Massachusetts-setting redundant after having finished The Departed. The actor cited Scorsese's Raging Bull as an influence for The Fighter, but Scorsese was not interested in directing another boxing film. Darren Aronofsky was hired to direct in March 2007, with Scott Silver rewriting the script in September 2007.

"I’ve seen every boxing movie ever made. I’m also a huge fight fan. I fought a little bit when I was younger. Nobody in my opinion, and some of the greatest movies ever made – you talk Raging Bull and Rocky I saw 30 times – but the fighting just wasn’t as realistic as what we hope to achieve and accomplish in this movie."
— Mark Wahlberg in an October 2007 interview

Production proceeded with filming set to begin October 2008 and Christian Bale replacing Brad Pitt. By then Aronofsky had dropped out to work on MGM's currently aborted RoboCop remake, followed by Black Swan. Wahlberg and Bale chose David O. Russell as Aronofsky's replacement. Wahlberg had also starred in Russell's Three Kings and I Heart Huckabees. Aronofsky was given an executive producer credit for his contributions on The Fighter, and was enthusiastic to have Russell as the director. In April 2009, Relativity Media stepped up to entirely finance the film, selling the international distribution rights to The Weinstein Company a month later. The Fighter began principal photography on July 13, 2009, on an $11 million budget in a 33-day shooting schedule, which was half the budget that Paramount was working with. The production utilized Massachusetts' film tax credits to cover parts of the film's cost.

The movie was filmed on location in Ward's hometown of Lowell, Massachusetts. Its boxing matches were shot at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell, and gym scenes at Arthur Ramalho's West End Gym, one of the real-life facilities where Ward had trained. The boxing-match footage was created "in big, choreographed sections that were taken directly from Micky's actual fights," said Russell. "And we used the actual commentary from Larry Merchant, Roy Jones Jr. and Jim Lampley." Russell used "he actual cameras from that era. a sort of Beta camera that gave a very certain look, and we actually hired the director from HBO and his crew who had done those fights" to replicate them shot-for-shot.

Release

To promote the film, Wahlberg appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated and Men's Fitness, and Bale on Esquire, in November 2010. An advanced charity premiere took place in Lowell, Massachusetts, the setting of The Fighter, on December 9, a day before the film's scheduled national release.

Home media

The Fighter was released in a Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack and standard DVD in the US on March 15, 2011.

Reception

Critical response

The Fighter has received critical acclaim. Critics have praised the performances of Wahlberg, Bale, Adams and Leo. Review aggregate Rotten Tomatoes reports that 90% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 174 reviews, with an average score of 8.0/10. The critical consensus is: "Led by a trio of captivating performances from Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, and Amy Adams, The Fighter is a solidly entertaining, albeit predictable, entry in the boxing drama genre." Metacritic gave the film an average score of 79/100, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Due to the film's involving boxing, Ring Magazine also gave its critique, saying that because it left out the Trilogy with Arturo Gatti it was like doing a movie about the entire life of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and not including World War II.

Sports Illustrated dubbed the film the best sports movie of the decade and "one of the best since Martin Scorsese backlit Robert De Niro's Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull.".

Accolades

The film received 7 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.The film was nominated for six Golden Globe Awards. Best Picture (Drama), Best Actor (Drama) for Wahlberg, Best Supporting Actress for Leo and Adams, Best Supporting Actor for Bale, and a nomination for Best Director for Russell. The film received three Chicago Film Critics award nominations, Best Supporting Actor for Christian Bale, and Best Supporting Actress nominations for Amy Adams and Melissa Leo. Christian Bale won a Satellite Award, the Critics' Choice Award, and the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. Melissa Leo won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. Christian Bale won the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Awards
Ceremony Category Name Outcome
Academy Awards
Best Picture Nominated
Best Director David O. Russell Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Christian Bale Won
Best Supporting Actress Amy Adams Nominated
Melissa Leo Won
Best Original Screenplay Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson & Keith Dorrington Nominated
Best Film Editing Pamela Martin Nominated
BAFTA Awards
Best Supporting Actor Christian Bale Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Amy Adams Nominated
Best Original Screenplay Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson & Keith Dorrington Nominated
Broadcast Film Critics
Best Picture Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Christian Bale Won
Best Supporting Actress Amy Adams Nominated
Melissa Leo Won
Best Acting Ensemble Won
Best Original Screenplay Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson & Keith Dorrington Nominated
Directors Guild of America Awards
Best Director David O. Russell Nominated
ESPY Awards
Best Sports Movie Won
Golden Globe Awards
Best Picture - Drama Nominated
Best Director David O. Russell Nominated
Best Actor Drama Mark Wahlberg Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Christian Bale Won
Best Supporting Actress Amy Adams Nominated
Melissa Leo Won
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Best Acting Ensemble Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Christian Bale Won
Best Supporting Actress Amy Adams Nominated
Melissa Leo Won

Sequel

Actor Mark Wahlberg has expressed interest in creating a single sequel to The Fighter, with much of the original cast. According to him, it would focus on Micky Ward's three "epic battles" with professional boxer Arturo Gatti.

References

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Awards
Preceded byHannah and Her Sisters Academy Award winner for
Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress

External links

Films directed by David O. Russell
Categories: