The Fighter

I bought “The Fighter” after had seen the trailer for it. Sports related films are something I would normally avoid, but this one looked like it was worth a look.And I am so glad I got it. Superb performances from the cast it has been nominated for and won awards at various award ceremonies (at the Academy Awards, Best Supporting Actor went to Christian Bale and Best Supporting Actress went to Melissa Leo) but the whole cast excel. The film is shot mostly in the city of Lowell where the film is set and is done with documentary realism – this is not an overly polished sickly sweet Hollywood film, and all the better for it. The music throughout has been chosen very well with some great sounding tracks.The fight scenes looked very convincing (apparently no stunt doubles were used), as did the training, the real fighter’s trainer was in the film having never acted before, and, like all of the cast did a great job.I would say that the Extra Features on the DVD are well worth a look.This is not just a film for boxing fans, it would appeal to many people on many levels.I feel that I have watched something more than a bit special in “The Fighter”.(Mark Wahlberg has said that a sequel is in the works.)With the DVD you get:The main feature.Commentary with director David o RussellThe Warrior’s Code: Filming The Fighter (28 mins)Keeping The Faith (8 mins)Deleted Scenes (20 minsDeleted Scenes with Commentary (7 mins)TrailerSome of the music in the film comes from The Heavy whose song How You Like Me Now? is played in the open scene and is a really good track to start the film. But there is also music from Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers and many others.

Would recommend this film it’s a good watch.

THE FILMFour stars, but it is just too cold, even more than Fincher usually is.And I don't mean that characters and story are cold in itself, but the kind of (brilliant) engagement this film has on viewers, is merely related to the plot and not to what characters really feel. You hardly get all the drama in the life of Douglas' character, if not because he is a truly good actor and, even without a warm and emotional film direction, he personally give his character an added value and appeal. The others are instead just puppets. All the rest (the elegant direction, editing and photography, the evocative opening credits, the surreal scenes and the overall unpredictability of the plot) perfectly work as usual in a Fincher's film. BUt it is all too planned and scripted, while sometimes films must forget about how making the plot go on and focus a little more on what makes characters live and become real.FINCHER FILMOGRAPHYWhich is what makes all his filmography always very interesting, well done, entertaining, but not always so engaging (it is in films like Seven, Social Network and Zodiac, where actors really make the difference).Even his last great film (Gone Girl) presents the same kind of approach: too much plot, really controlled and balanced direction, but not big interest in the characters, if not in the mutual dynamics, which are, anyway, more related to the unfolding of the story than on the true revelation of their personality. They all seem to be deep and complex, but they are just "acted and scripted characters".It is not a problem in a film like that, but he can become a little problem in more ambitious ones.

Received the film earlier today, decided to order it after reading some really good reviews and although I would recommend seeing it, don’t think I could watch it as many times as some have. It’s not a film that I had heard of and I know the cinema chain I worked for at the time of its release didn’t show the film hence me never knowing about it. Def worth seeing and during this lean time of film releases, for many it will be like watching a new release as it was for me.

THE FIGHTER(dir. David O'Russell/115 minutes)This is a very good film (and a true story) about brotherly love, dysfunctional families and boxing. Mark Wahlberg comes into some criticism (often justified), but he's on (for him) fine form here; playing professional boxer Micky "Irish" Ward, the sensible straight-man in the background that allows for a gloriously unrestrained Christian Bale to let rip and chew on some scenery as Ward's unpredictable drug-addicted half-brother and trainer. Bale, rightly, won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his (pun alert) knockout performance as Dicky Eklund (footage of the real Dicky shown over the end credits attests to how finely nuanced Bale's performance is). Melissa Leo also gives an Oscar-deserving performance as the matriarch from hell. Like all the best sports film, The Fighter isn't actually about sports (though maybe it's about time I watched Rocky). It's about people. Compelling stuff, but I'm not convinced the announced sequel is necessary.

It's my favourite movie so has to get it

Have got this film on HD DVD and bought the blu ray version, as wish to reduce number of disc players in the AV supporting rack (the number of my pure audio players has increased), so can't comment on the purchased disc's "playability"

I first watched this years ago at first to me didnt looked great but having been a huge fan of psychologicals watched it then loved it.A rare moment when you cant really guess the story outcome.I owned this but like other films which are my all time favourites i like to keep a selected amount on Blu ray.Again not for everyone but none the less a film id highly recommend over most recent rubbish out there.At almost 20 years old is still a timeless under rated film.If you love thrillers or Michael Dauglas then this is a must.Why cant they make more like this..