By Malice Intended

Boxing films have always been great vehicles for telling stories about the underdog, Rocky being the ideal example.  Americans have a natural affinity for the idea that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, is entitled to a shot at greatness.  Though such stories are a mainstay of just about every genre imaginable, boxing films seem to find the most direct root to the collective hopes and dreams of the movie going public.  The actual fight scenes in these films are more cathartic than they are realistic, as the filmmakers are well aware that viewers have only to stay home and turn on ESPN to see the real thing. 

David O. Russell’s upcoming film The Fighter tells one such inspirational tale.  It’s based on the true story of “Irish” Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) and his relationship with his older half-brother, disgraced boxer Dickie Eklund (Christian Bale).  Once Eklund’s drug addiction brought his career to an end, he began training his younger brother.  Both hail from Lowell, Massachusetts.  The trailer itself resembles every modern boxing film ever made, making it obvious what buttons the film will be trying to push.  Clearly, the chance to see Wahlberg and Bale act opposite each other is the draw here.

Micky Ward’s life has all the making of good drama.  At one point, it was to be directed by Darren Aronofsky.  Matt Damon and Brad Pitt were both vying for the role of Eklund at one point as well.  When a project becomes a magnet for such talent, there is usually something of value at its core.  The trailer doesn’t give a clue as to what makes The Fighter stand out from other films of its kind, however it does not indicate that the filmmakers have in any way dropped the ball.  Wahlberg seems to be in his element, and the normally grim Christian Bale seems a bit more human here than usual.  Could there be another Oscar nod in Marky Mark’s future?  The world will find out on December 10^th.      

[pro-player width=’425′ height=’344′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_zijS_UAtw[/pro-player]

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