The Fighter

In preparation for the Oscars (which is like another holiday for me), I try to see as many of the films that are nominated. I usually never manage to see them all, but I try to see at least all of the Best Picture nominations. So far I've seen seven of the ten (that's a lot of movies and a lot of weekends spent at the theater). And after how few good movies there were in last year's nominations, I could not be anymore thrilled by how many good movies there are in this year's selection.

The last one I saw was The Fighter. The best way to describe this film came from a friend of mine who said that it is a cross between Rocky and Good Will Hunting with a little Remember the Titans thrown in there: the underdog boxer from Rocky (and when I say Rocky, I mean the first and truly only good one), the  foul-mouthed and harshly cruel Massachusetts-life from Good Will Hunting, and the inspiration that comes from watching a "based on a true story" type of movie like Remember the Titans. If you liked any or all of those films, then The Fighter is definitely worth watching. But there is a lot of boxing, and a lot of swearing, a lot of drug usage, and even some nudity. If those things are a deal breaker, then walk away.

What made this movie so good and worth watching was Christian Bale's performance. I like CB an awful lot, and I had heard over and over again how he's going to win the Oscar for best supporting actor. After watching his performance, I sincerely hope that he wins, because he was amazing. His performance as a washed-up, crack addicted former boxer was absolutely incredible. He was pathetic, but so tragically humanly that you couldn't despise him; you ached for him, especially when he comes to the realization of what he is and what he's doing to his family. If Christian Bale doesn't win the Oscar for this performance I will be extremely disappointed in the Academy.





The other thing that makes this movie so very interesting is the way they filmed it. It was raw. There is no other way to describe it. A good chunk of the time the used grainy and unpolished footage, like the kind that is used to film live boxing matches. Other times the filming technique is similar to a documentary, where a hand-held camera takes quick pans. It made the movie feel more real, and reminds us that these things really did happen to the characters.


I felt that The Fighter was a great film, but I honestly don't think that it will win Best Picture of 2011. But that shouldn't stop you from watching an excellent film that is definitely worth the nomination.