The Fighter

2010 Drama

Mark Wahlberg stars in Paramount Pictures' inspirational docudrama exploring the remarkable rise of Massachusetts-born, junior welterweight title winner "Irish" Micky Ward. A determined pugilist whose career in the ring was shepherded by his loyal half-brother, Dicky (Christian Bale) -- a hard-living boxer-turned-trainer whose own career in the ring was nearly sent down for the count due to drugs and crime -- perennial underdog Irish Micky rebounded from a disheartening series of defeats to win both the WBU Intercontinental Lightweight title and the WBU Light Welterweight title thanks to a fierce combination of determination and hard work. David O. Russell directs from a script by 8 Mile's Scott Silver and Paul Attanasio (The Bourne Ultimatum).

Director: David O. Russell

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, Jack McGee

 31 Reviews  42 Awards

Reviews

  • This one, as thoughtful as it is rousing, scores a TKO.

    Owen Gleiberman - Entertainment Weekly

    27 April 2013

  • The rousing The Fighter tries a number of risky maneuvers and manages to make them pay off in the end. The movie initially feels like more of a near thing than the filmmakers anticipated, but as in boxing it's only the final decision that counts.

    Kenneth Turan - Los Angeles Times

    27 April 2013

  • While the film handles itself well in the ring, it's brilliant in the arena of a blue-collar family that brutalizes its younger son and best hope for worldly success in the name of sustaining him.

    Joe Morgenstern - The Wall Street Journal

    27 April 2013

  • Visionary director David O. Russell so deftly weaves the family's story that we, too, are initially seduced by Dicky.

    Claudia Puig - USA Today

    27 April 2013

  • The Fighter, its heart full to bursting, is an emotional powerhouse that comes close to spilling over.

    Peter Travers - Rolling Stone

    27 April 2013

Awards

  • Movie of the Year

    AFI Awards (2011)

  • Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

    Academy Awards (2011)

  • Best Supporting Actor

    Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films (2011)

     

  • Best Edited Feature Film - Dramatic

    American Cinema Editors (2011)

     

  • Contemporary Film

    Art Directors Guild (2011)

     

Lists

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