BOXING FIGHTER (USA, 2010) by David O. Twenty years ago Russell Boxing has always been the sports 'sacked' by the great screen, especially from film stars and stripes, and the reason is obvious: the boxing embodies the main features of the American Dream (sacrifice, perseverance, dedication, success), they want the '
' everyman ', taken from the street, often poor and humble, able to get on the roof of the world. The story of 'one in a thousand
stand it', well, even better if served by a good dose of patriotism and, perhaps, redemption and subsequent lifts. As a film about boxing if they have made a lot (see post above), some absolute masterpieces, more discreet, not many memorable.
Which do then
The Fighter, the last effort of
David O. Russell, director of New York which has become critical to the honor of a decade ago with the brilliant Three Kings
, vigorous action-movie about the Gulf War, and then rapidly decayed with disatroso fiasco
I love Huckebees ?
Well, let's say right away that the film is a masterpiece. The Fighter is not
Raging Bull (and that we expected), but it would be unfair to dismiss the film as
'story of yet another box made in USA' . Russell puts it all because we do not assume a movie (only partially successful), but should be appreciated the attempt to go 'beyond' the simple sports story to tell a story, family sometimes hard and angular, adopting the ring as a social parable. And this we must recognize this.
The film's characters are in fact two brothers, and them that dwell on the camera. Two brothers of Irish descent, both coming from the slums (and so far we're really
'on the classic' ) but totally different character: one (Dick, great
Christian Bale) is weak and in poor memory lives on a moment of glory (honorably lost a match against the invincible
Sugar Ray Reynold ) and spends the time to fill up with crack. In the rare moments of lucidity is delighted to coach his brother, Micky (Mark Wahlberg
) instead of determination that has to sell but also end up in trouble just to save Dick, who has tenaciously bound. Complicating the situation is added to the mother of two (Melissa Leo
), female-invasive, invasive and possessive, able to affect not just the emotional ties and family of two.
The first part of the film is beautiful, dark and touching. Almost documentary realism and emotional force. It feels like watching a Ken Loach film
, with the camera capable of stripping without the need for dialogue, a reality of poverty, ignorance, squalor, poor physical and moral, but continued with great dignity. And much of the credit it must be the key players, in their truly commendable performance (Bale
and
Leo won the Oscar - deserved - but it would be unfair to 'forget'
Wahlberg, never too seen a face in Hollywood , no doubt, however, one of the most versatile and reliable interpreters of the new generation).
But when the story 'viral' on the purely sporting side, this is the film s'incarta ... in the sense that it does not say anything new on the ground and began driving at well-known and predictable, typical American hero who fell from grace with great self-denial and self-confidence can get back on top and rising to undying glory. He knows so much about
Rocky but not in any way to see, the rhetoric about maintaining an acceptable level. A film short, which do not leave a mark but that will give us a little moment of glory. Just like his hero.
better than nothing.
RATING: * * *
to celebrate the famous 150'anni 
version here in flag waving .... 
some seasoned only with fresh cream and parmesan cheese, simple but good 
the other for tomorrow with a good sauce, 
