Review of The Fighter (2010) by Adam S — 08 Feb 2014

David O. Russell has always had a sort of technique that I love to watch him direct with. I first noticed it in Silver Linings Playbook and now I see it here, in the film that brought him from basically the new Hollywood blacklist: Douchebagery. Yes, we've all known David O. Russell's past. His experience with George Clooney and his infamous behind the scenes look during I Heart Huckabees and his fight with Lily Tomlin. After that, David O Russell basically went into hiding, not making a film until this one. And it was a good film to come back on. Previously, O Russell had only made comedy movies, but now he comes down to making a story of family and ambition. It was a movie that surprised me, and one that I enjoyed thoroughly. Russell distinct direction took this film miles, and it was miles I definitely wanted to be apart of the ride. And now, while I felt he was still exploring his direction in this movie, it did not mean it was totally absent. Simply, at times his direction was confused and didn't know if it wanted comedy, drama, or heartwarmth. But it was good most of the time, even if the script fell flat. The way he moves the camera around, the way he lets the actors act as he films them acting, rather than them acting as he films. It's good direction, and one that would be most prevalent in my favorite movie of his to date, American Hustle, and one that would be at it's maturity in Silver Linings Playbook. Russell can direct, and although his story isn't of a director from rags to riches, but rather of a director from confusion to humbleness. And that is clearly shown in this movie.

The Fighter is 2010 drama boxing film directed by David O Russell and starring Christian Bale, Mark Whalberg, Amy Adams, and Melissa Leo. A brilliant cast and characters, The Fighter really stands out with its acting. David O Russell has a way of directing these characters to not only have a feel of comedy to them and drama, but to make them feel so real. Christian Bale's character Dickey Ecklund was heartfelt and down to earth, rather than crazy and outgoing, while he is that, but he still has a kind of an honest, innocent touch to him. Mark Whalberg only wants what he thinks is best for family, and even though the family wants the best for him, Melissa Leo's character does not always show that. Amy Adams character keep Whalberg on his feet and keeps him aware his family might not be all that great, but it's a struggle for Whalberg as he trys everything he can to please the people of his town and to please his family, but th4ee story slowly start to let you understand that he can do both. The acting is great all around, and while Bale did have the strongest Supporting Actor performance of 2010, in other years he would not be able to hold up that great. Melissa Leo was good, but she was kind of forgettable as were a lot of other characters in the film, causing a little drawback from the movie. Still, the entire cast acted true and it all felt real, and I thought it was a strong cast of very talented actors.

The screenplay was also good, and it was nominated at the Academy Awards, but it was the biggest flaw in the movie. At times, the story did not know whether it wanted to be an intense family drama or rather a humorous character study. David O Russell directs well enough to blend it all in together, but it's still very convoluted and varies in emotions multiple times I a scene. Also, the dialogue is not memorable at all, and while the story remains prominent, it does not seem special and only feels like a boxing film with a family background. It definitely is not your everyday sports movie, and does not rely completely on the sport itself, even with the title being "The Fighter". It relies more on Whalberg's character to explore whether he cares about the sport more, or his family. And the outcome is heartwarming, even writing out about it puts a sappy feeling inside me that I like. Yes, though, there are some clichés in the movie, like the conclusion of the final fight, which I felt was a badly directed. Other than that, the screenplay works well, but it was not completely pulled in together.

David O Russell's direction is something to enjoy in this movie. At times, yea, the direction looks under developed, but it is not amateur. It looks like a director coming back and making it big, and instead of forcing things to be his way, he works with the movie to create an equal vision. Sometimes the vision gets blurred, such as the ending of the last fight, which I thought was rushed and kind of abrupt, and also other scenes where characters suddenly change and the movement of the camera does not work. But his now signature style in which he moves the camera around the actor instead of the actor moving around the camera is enjoyable to watch. Russell also makes hectic scenes good, especially when all the characters are in one room or place just shouting and getting angry at each other. You can feel the love between the characters when watching this movie, and the joy it puts in you while these scenes occur does not happen much. It really is only a feeling I feel in O Russell movies, like I did in Silver Lining Playbook and at times with American Hustle. He makes these characers unique, and not only that, but he makes them real. And that's what Russell does the very best. He brings out the realism in the emotions of characters, and leaves certain things in characters hidden and left for only the audience to figure out. Russell is a master at making the characters relatable to everyone in different ways, whether it be they have a money struggle or if they can't reach a certain goal. Everyone in this movie wants the best for themselves and for each other, and everyone is confused and feel they haven't given their best. The movie is strong and engaging, and whenever a character does something, the audience understands why. It's a gift of Russell that is disappointing has come out this late in his career, but it is also satisfying to now that he found it.

Whalberg, Bale, Adams, and Leo all give excellent performances in a film stock full of characters. Some are not memorable, while others remain in your mind, but it is hard to forget the way these characters made you feel as you watched the movie. Russell's direction keeps these emotions with you as you leave the movie, and reminds you of them more and more as you think back to the movie. The writing is fine, at times being a little confusing and unsure about the path it wants to take the audience, but David O Russell brings the best in the emotions and directs the script well. His signature style of movement and scenes of chaos are not fully mature in the movie, and while he does take control of the film, at times it feels like he is simply filming the screenplay. But this happens only a few times, and the rest is an enjoyable ride of drama, commotion, laughs, and sincerity. I thought The Fighter was a great movie, and while not the best boxing film I've ever seen, it is truly one of the best I have seen about family. And one that made the movies accept David O Russell as a part of our family. 8/10.