Inspired by the 1995 HBO documentary ‘High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell’, David O. Russells’ ‘The Fighter’ tells the true story of boxer “Irish” Mickey Ward (Mark Wahlberg) and how he overcame the odds, both inside the ring and out, to become World Light Welterweight Champion.

Managed by his mother, Alice Ward (Melissa Leo) and trained by his half brother, Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale), Mickys’ boxing career is well and truly on the ropes. Alice’s misguided management may bring some financial reward but means regular defeats against mismatched opponents. Ex-fighter Dicky, the self-proclaimed “Pride of Lowell”, after his Massachusetts hometown, has descended into drug addiction. Spending more time in the local crack house than training Mickey, all Dicky has left in life is the time he went toe to toe with Sugar Ray Leonard and crack cocaine.

When a camera crew arrives in Lowell, Dicky is under the delusion they are there to film his comeback, the reality being they are there to film a documentary about a drug addict. The final straw comes when Mickey is pitted against an opponent 20 pounds heavier resulting in yet another defeat. Mickey, understandably disillusioned, retreats from boxing and starts a relationship with a local barmaid, Charlene Fleming (Amy Adams). Charlene, with an outsiders perspective can see clearly what Mickey is struggling to come to terms with, that despite well meant intentions, his family are destroying his career.

When an offer comes to train in Las Vegas, Charlene tries to persuade Mickey to cut ties with his family and accept it. Dicky vows to match the offer but a ludicrous and botched attempt to extort the money he needs, ends with Mickey getting his hand broken as he attempts to stop police officers beating his brother during arrest. Dicky is thrown in jail and Mickey finally walks away from him. Lured back into boxing by his step father, George Ward (Jack McGee), Mickey begins training with a new team and rebuilds his confidence with a series of minor bouts. Dicky meanwhile, watches as the documentary ‘Crack in America’ is broadcast on TV and resolves to clean up. After finally visiting his brother in prison, Mickey takes advice from him and defeats a major opponent. Upon his release, Dicky visits Charlene and persuades her they must work together. The scene is set for a big title showdown in London.

Bale gives an extraordinary performance, ravaged by drugs, his life and career in ruins. The rest of the cast are also excellent, Adams as the strong willed Charlene, Leo as the matriarchal Alice and Wahlberg is quietly understated but convincing as Mickey.

The film was a labour of love for Wahlberg who spent four years in training and filming was completed in an incredible 33 days.

Nominated for seven Academy Awards with Bale and Leo winning best supporting actor and best supporting actress respectively, ‘The Fighter’ stands alongside ‘Raging Bull’, ‘Rocky’ and ‘Million Dollar Baby’ as one of the finest films about boxing.

Purists may have been disappointed the trilogy of fights with Arturo Gatti which came later, all three of which left both men hospitalised, were not touched upon but this is a film as much about a conflict of family loyalties and ambition as it is about boxing.

Let’s leave the final word with Micky Ward: “It’s not really a boxing movie anyway. The boxing’s the backdrop, but it’s more about family dynamics, its about the struggles of two brothers, ups and downs, all that”.