The Fighter

It’s the relentlessness of boxing that makes it so difficult to watch. It’s not enough to make your opponent bleed, to break bones in his or her face, knock teeth or knock your opponent to the ground. A boxer must do all of these things, repeatedly, and may lose perspective on the damage being done – and thus the referee must stay in the ring with the fighters, often pulling them apart, trying to gauge when the pummeled has had enough. And yet, at least the sport has that to offer, a referee. If only families used one.

Today, the Ecklund-Ward household would star in their own reality series. A Greek chorus of seven interchangeable daughters and two nearly-famous sons, the adult family feels more like a polygamist nightmare than someplace to call home. Older brother Dicky Ecklund (Christian Bale at his wiry, cocaine-addicted, tortured best,) is the prodigal son with a drug problem, ever trying to avoid admitting his faults while reminding everyone that he is the “Pride of Lowell.” Micky (the brilliantly understated Mark Wahlberg) adores his older brother, and calmly navigates the rough family tides. Matriarch Alice Ward still exerts tremendous influence over her grown children, though her show-mother-den-mother identity seems to overpower any practical considerations. The manipulation that gets Micky to go along with his mother’s and brother’s choices – the indoctrination to choose allegiance to family over one’s best interest is overt and frightening. You would think that a boxer would have some instinct for self-preservation, but no, these boys have yet to learn.

Thus we arrive at the title. Slowly, but with great force, Dicky and Micky begin to understand that some of their choices have been self-sabotage and each is willing to fight for his life. Then again, a prison sentence or finding love can help you turn your life around (or so one would like to believe). It’s something of a relief to see Dicky imprisoned and Micky come out of his shell as he falls in love with new-in-town bartender Charlene (a surprisingly plain Amy Adams). If you’re like me, arguments among loved ones drive you to wonder why we can’t all just get along. Compromise, right? At least when things to come to a cinematic close, it’s an earned resolution. These are characters (and people) who have worked to achieve their version of a happy family.

If you had any doubts as to the truth behind the story, not only are there traditional end tags with epilogues for each of the major players, but some interview footage of Dick Ecklund and Micky Ward is shown as the credits begin. It’s clear to see how Bale and Wahlberg were chosen, or if not chosen, at least the inspiration for their performances.