The Fighter ****

I saw "The Fighter" today in advance of tomorrow's Golden Globes Awards, whose four top actors are all nominated. This unlikely but true story of light welterweight champion "Irish" Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) and his older half-brother Dickie (Christian Bale), who helped train him for his shot at the world title in the '90's is a fascinating and rewarding movie. Unflinchingly set in working class Lowell, Massachusetts, Micky's drive and Dickie's tutelage after a bout with drugs and crime are well presented. Melissa Leo as their domineering mother/manager turns in an Oscar-worthy performance, as does Amy Adams in a foul-mouthed departure from her Disney roles as Micky's bartender girlfriend. Thankfully the focus is on the lives much more than the carnage in the ring. I have to say the hype for the movie is deserved, and all, especially Bale, are a joy and wonder to watch.

Rated R. 115 minutes. David O. Russell - Director, Scott Silver - Writer (screenplay), Paul Tamasy - Writer (screenplay) (story) / Producer, Eric Johnson - Writer (screenplay) (story), Keith Dorrington -Writer (story), Dorothy Arufiero - Producer, David Hoberman - Producer, Ryan Kavanaugh - Producer, Todd Liegerman - Producer, Mark Wahlberg - Producer, Hoyte Van Hoytema -Cinematographer, Michael Brook - Composer, Judy Becker - Production Designer, Pamela Martin - Editor. Distributed in the U.S. by Paramount Pictures.

Principal actors: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, Mickey O'Keefe, Jack McGee.

1/16/2011 note: Christian Bale won the Golden Globe for best supporting actor drama, and Melissa Leo won for best supporting actress drama. They are the ones to bet on for the Oscars.