It seems like we need a great boxing movie every now and then. Despite condemnation of the 'sweet science' by many, it seems we're all able to get behind a tale of a kid, down on his luck and punching his way back to the top. What's not to love god damn it!
Based on the true story of 'Irish' Micky Ward, Mark Wahlberg plays the central character who is a solid boxer but going nowhere fast. Years of mismanagement from his crack smoking brother and interfering mother have been tough on Micky. Christain Bale is excellent as the bro Dicky Eklund, a former boxer himself who fought Sugar Ray Leonard and is immensely likable, yet immensely unreliable. Melissa Leo is also great as the ball busting Mum. While the boxing story is pretty formulaic, it's the strained and tested relationships that revolve around the family and Micky's career that make this so good.
David O. Russell directed 'Three Kings' (1999) and 'I ♥ Huckabees' (2004) and is known for his explosive onset behaviour. There is some notorious footage of him absolutely unloading on Lilly Tomlin on the set of Huckabees. This energy at least seems to translate to the screen.
Set in Lowell, Massachusetts, the rampant drug problem among the poor and unemployed is an integral force in the story. For some extra curricular viewing check out the very relevant documentary 'High On Crack Street: Lost Lives In Lowell' (1995) which was originally aired on HBO. It follows Dicky and a couple of his crack pals chasing their next score, contemplating getting clean and the harsh results of their addictions. While Dicky only features for about 15 minutes, it's a totally intriguing companion piece to compare reality to film and is worth viewing before or after the movie. I also watched a couple of Micky Ward's fights on Youtube which featured in the film and again it's always interesting to see how Hollywood choose to depict real events. Some of the actual commentary has been used in the film which add to the authenticity of what are good movie boxing scenes.
You get the schmaltz, the grit and some great performances with this... and a kid, punching his way to the top. What's not to love I ask ya?
4/5
Man, do I like watching films. To 'enhance' the experience I'm going to spout on about films I see on this here blog. The goal is to get turned on to some good new (and old) stuff in the process. I encourage recommendations, opinions and good old what not.
Brilliant review, a movie i am more than eager to see now.
ReplyDeleteGot a free ticket to this last night 'cos I went to see True Grit and the projector was busted. It's ok. I agree the most interesting parts concern the family relationships. The boxing scenes almost seem superfluous, especially the utterly predictable and seemingly rushed finale.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe there was talk of Wahlberg getting an oscar for this. Surely the most wooden actor in Hollywood. After being subjected to The Happening I took a perverse pleasure in seeing him get seven shades of shit smacked out of him. Now all we need is M. Night Shyamalan in a torture porn flick.
Bale was indeed superb.
I thought Wahlburg was ok (most certainly not Oscar worthy) but the role of Micky could definitely have been better cast. Could have raised the film another notch.
ReplyDeleteDid you not hear what a bucket of shit The Happening was?
what I'm saying is I did see The Happening and that's why I like seeing Marky Mark suffer. I was on a plane when I saw it. I couldn't escape, it was horrendous.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see you review it, really open the blowtorch on the shambolic excrement-fest