Bale delivers an acting knockout in "The Fighter"

Director: David O. Russell

Time: 1 hour and 54 minutes

Genre: Drama

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams

"The Fighter" is a 2-hour look at the early career of boxing champion Micky Ward. The story is intriguing, the fight footage is unique and the direction is clean. However, Christian Bale's performance as Micky's older brother Dickie is what truly makes this film stand out.

The film gets off to a slow start, as we see Micky (Mark Wahlberg) prepare for a lower-tier fight only to have his opponent change last minute. Highly in need of the money and pressured by his family, Ward takes the alternate fight against an opponent 20 pounds larger than him. He is consequently pummeled and with the help of his new girlfriend Charlene (Amy Adams), he takes on new management and a new direction for his fight career.

While the story is interesting, the focal point of the film is the relationship between Micky and his drug-addicted brother. Dickie Eklund is his brother's main trainer. However, drug addiction causes Dickie to forget his priorities and this translates into harm for Micky. Christian Bale delivers the best acting performance of 2010 in the role. If he does not win best supporting actor, I would be extremely surprised. When the film ends and you see a clip of the real Dickie Eklund, you will be impressed by the accuracy of Bale's performance.

While the rest of the cast is overshadowed by Bale's incredible performance, they are still very solid. Mark Wahlberg is easily type-cast for these types of roles -- a white male from the East Coast with a quiet demeanor and the heart of a lion -- not a big stretch of acting for Wahlberg. Amy Adams is great as the thick-skinned Charlene -- the dialogue between Charlene and the Ward/Eklund women is raw and very witty.

"The Fighter" also offers unique fight choreography. The camera work is very up-close and personal and the footage is filtered post-production to give the effect that the audience is watching the clips on classic television.

I have not liked too many of the films that have come out this winter, but "The Fighter" is definitely and exception. Bale's performance alone is worth the price of admission. If you are looking for acting at its best, catch "The Fighter" this weekend. It will knock you off your feet.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

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