The Fighter
Overview
The Fighter is a 2010 biographical sports drama film directed by David O. Russell, based on the true story of boxer Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) and his half-brother, Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale), a former boxer who is struggling with drug addiction. The film follows Micky's rise from a stepping stone for other boxers to a champion. He is managed by his mother, Alice (Melissa Leo), and trained by his brother, Dicky. The film is a gritty, realistic, and emotional look at the world of boxing and the dynamics of a working-class family. Christian Bale gives a transformative, Oscar-winning performance as the skinny, cracked-out Dicky. Melissa Leo also won an Oscar for her performance as the overbearing, determined mother. The Fighter was a critical and commercial success, earning over $129 million on a $25 million budget. It won two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor for Christian Bale and Best Supporting Actress for Melissa Leo. The film is a powerful, inspiring, and well-acted sports drama.
