The Fighter

For ‘Irish’ Micky Ward, a journeyman pugilist from Lowell, Massachusetts, boxing is very much a family affair. He’s coached by his crack-addicted and unreliable older brother, and managed by his overreaching mother. However, the arrival of love interest Charlene and a chance at a title shot inspires him to forge his own career away from the binds of his family. Russell’s gritty drama was a break with his earlier work and features Oscar-winning performances by Bale and Leo, while Wahlberg and Adams bring no small amount of charisma to the roles of Mickey and Christine.