Synopsis: A drama about the Rocky-like rise of boxer "Irish" Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) and his half-brother (Christian Bale), a boxer-turned-trainer who rebounded in life after nearly being KO'd by drugs and crime, who helped train him before going pro in the mid '80s.If you're not a fan of sports films or more specifically boxing films, you'll still probably like this as it's more about family and overcoming adversity really than anything. Sure, it's not incredibly original but it's based on a true story so I can overlook that a bit. The story is still very interesting and the Ward family overall is both annoying, entertaining and funny. But Bale, Adams and Wahlberg stand out.
Wahlberg doesn't get too emotional but has to look like he knows what he's doing in the boxing ring and occasionally act torn or confused, all of which he's good act. It's easy to believe him as a professional boxer. Amy Adams gives a nice tough girl touch to the film and is great and exactly what her role needed. But Christian Bale as the former fighter turned drug addict is outstanding. You can tell he's just totally submerged into the character is so believable I was afraid the guy would OD for real by the end of it. Maybe Bale's best role yet, and that's saying something. The rest of the family from Mickey's mother and father to all the sisters are fantastically entertaining.
It's another rags-to-riches, feelgood boxing movie with great in-ring action but it has brains as well as muscle with great drama outside the gym. It doesn't dip into the smaltyz area a lot of these "inspirations sports dramas" do. It feels real. A solid movie. And it throws a little Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and Whitesnake at you for good measure.
9/10
