The Fighter

[SocialFlutterBy]

If you are an actual boxing fan and know your stuff dont go to see this expecting to see a Cinderella Man or Rocky type film, although boxing is the theme that strings the story along this is more a social backround documentary covering more than just the journey to the Title, this film for me was more about people and the relationships they have with each other its also about the relationships within a family, addiction, poverty and injustice are also evident all the way through this movie, i was utterly gripped by the characters and not just the two brothers the acting was superb and i was completely immersed in they're world for the duration of the film much better film than i thought it would be and it is definately a lot more than your typical underdog overcomes on the eleventh hour type of film

all in all an unexpected
9/10

if you get the chance dont miss it i was at glasgow showcase tonight which was only 2 thirds full such a shame

[denisel]

Saw this last night. Bit of a slow start i thought but on the whole a good movie.

The cinema at Bluewater was almost empty. Shame isnt it.

[Flabber]

If you are an actual boxing fan and know your stuff dont go to see this expecting to see a Cinderella Man or Rocky type film, although boxing is the theme that strings the story along this is more a social backround documentary covering more than just the journey to the Title, this film for me was more about people and the relationships they have with each other its also about the relationships within a family, addiction, poverty and injustice are also evident all the way through this movie, i was utterly gripped by the characters and not just the two brothers the acting was superb and i was completely immersed in they're world for the duration of the film much better film than i thought it would be and it is definately a lot more than your typical underdog overcomes on the eleventh hour type of film

A perfect summation of the movie. Saw this last night at the Empire in High Wycombe.
Not your typical sports/boxing film but rather a family drama and how some lives are controlled by the fate of their families.

Christian Bale stole the show though!
8/10

[LisaO]

Friend saw this in the Bristol showcase cinema de lux last night, kept waiting in the foyer til 6.30, queued outside the cinema screen until 6.50, then all the "large" bags had to be handed in as they might contain recording devices?? (have they got any idea how many screenings there has been for this movie - most of the country must have seen this already! lol!!) Film kicked off at 7.15, with lots of spare seats as people had just given up.

Film was enjoyed, despite the faffing around.

Lx

[vero1971]

Seen it last night, I really enjoy it, would definitely recommend it. Might go and see it again with hubby this time! He was babysitting last night!

[poppy27]

Friend saw this in the Bristol showcase cinema de lux last night, kept waiting in the foyer til 6.30, queued outside the cinema screen until 6.50, then all the "large" bags had to be handed in as they might contain recording devices?? (have they got any idea how many screenings there has been for this movie - most of the country must have seen this already! lol!!) Film kicked off at 7.15, with lots of spare seats as people had just given up.

Film was enjoyed, despite the faffing around.

Lx

I too saw this at Bristol de lux last night and have to agree - their organisation wasn't great (I have seen free films there before and never had any problems) - but it appeared as though the problem stemmed from having to wait for a previous film to finish before we could go in - but at least they chose a fairly large screen so no problem getting the seats we wanted. The checking of bags (which only appeared to be for the men - women with "suitcases" for bags were allowed in!) was ridiculous especially when you consider how small recording devices actually are now.

Anyway, onto the film - I thought it was really good. Going into it, I thought it wouldn't be that good and a "blokes" film but the story developed quickly and was gripping - I didn't get bored at any stage. Christian Bale was great - and he really got the mannerisms and speech of Dicky (when you compared with the end clip of the real brothers). 8/10

[ramper77]

The checking of bags (which only appeared to be for the men - women with "suitcases" for bags were allowed in!) was ridiculous especially when you consider how small recording devices actually are now.

I was also at this screening. Stopping rucksacks coming in for me wasn't surprising, as it's the most common way for people to record from, especially in a less busy screening with the easy opportunity of a free seat to rest your bag on. I liked the film, though the ending felt slightly flat for me, compared with some other great boxing themed films...7/10.

[jordsmum]

Finally got to see this film tonight at a practically full Cineworld Liverpool. In fact its quite a while since I've been at such a popular preview.

I didn't particularily enjoy the first 20 minutes or so of the film, was sitting there wondering what all the hype was about, and then, not quite sure how, the story 'dragged' me in. By the end I was hooked and could of happily sat and watched it again. Christian Bale played an amazing portrayal of Dicky Eklund, Oscar winning material me thinks. 9/10

[artchick]

Just got back from a packed Sheffield screening. Found the film to be really slow going in the first half but picked up for the second...not as good as the hype. Thought the sisters were hilarious though a real Jerry Springer moment.

Best thing about the film was the preview of 'Paul' which looks hilarious.

[David]

I saw this in Nottingham tonight (thanks Beate for giving my mum extra tickets) and quite liked it, but overall thought it was nothing exceptional and never really gripped me. I spent a great proportion of the film confusing Mark Wahlberg and Matt Damon (is it just me?). I find The Departed a nightmare to watch as Wahlberg, Damon and Di Caprio all look so similar in it, especially Di Caprio and Damon's characters.

But anyway, decent enough but nothing really stood out and I never found the characters or their relationship particularly solid. Also the whole 'zero to hero' thing was rather predictable, even to someone who knows nothing about the true story. It didn't feel very natural how he went from a nothing to a world champion, in fact it seemed pretty forced and rushed. 3/5.