Jan Wahl Movie Review: The Fighter
(KCBS) - KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl reviews the drama starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo and Amy Adams. The Fighter (Rated R) is based on the true story of boxer Micky Ward of Lowell, Massachusetts.
Listen to Jan's Review:
Mark Wahlberg stars as the up and coming fighter from the mean streets, saddled with one big problem: his has-been fighter brother is a crack addict and criminal determined to ruin his career.
Unfortunately, Micky is so punch drunk with love for his family, he can't see that he is headed for a one-way ticket to Palookaville. The acting is superb, from Mark Wahlberg steadfast as Micky to Amy Adams surprising as she fights her good girl screen image to turn in a terrific tough townie performance.
But the film really becomes a knockout with Christian Bale as a strangely charismatic Dicky, gaunt, sick and living on his past glory. Melissa Leo should be Oscar nominated as Best Supporting Actress for the most manipulative, cruelest mother this side of Angela Lansbury in The Manchurian Candidate. Wahlberg is said to have spent half a decade to get this movie made, Director David O. Russell and the brilliant cast makes it worth the wait.
Jan recommends these films to see now: The King's Speech, The Social Network, Inside Job, Burlesque, Morning Glory
Jan recommends these DVDs to rent now: Despicable Me, Cyrus, The Back Nine, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, True Grit Re-Issue (John Wayne version), Disney's Christmas Carol 2009, The Films of Rita Hayworth, The Elia Kazan Collection
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