The Fighter

[Ms Thrifty]

Saw this at Crawley last night, encouraged by posts which said you didn't have to be a boxing fan to enjoy it, which proved true. Yes, entertaining if unoriginal and Christian Bale (whom I don't recall seeing in anything before) was both horrible and hypnotic. Unfortunately he was the dead spit of Will Self, which created a bizarre impression and Mark Walhlberg looked way too old to be playing a 31-year-old but it was still an amusing and engaging film, especially for the family dynamics. Auditorium quite full given that this was the 2nd preview at this site.

[hottips]

My son saw this film yesterday at West India Quays (I attended Greenland at the National instead).

Being a young man of few words - he said,

'I loved it, it was excellent, I'd like to see it again - it's a great film'

9/10 from him

[mattgad]

Valley Centertainment Sheffield was possibly the busiest I have ever seen it. Usually the restaurants are near empty, but they were all packed, with people queuing outside everywhere - even Subway.

I'm going to be in the minority here and say I didn't really like it, found most of it boring.

The film started off very slowly, the family were annoying, and the character Micky didn't really seem to fit with them. I didn't really believe in the relationship between Micky and his girlfriend, overnight it seemed she went from being a stranger to being a huge supporter. Still, nice that it was based on a true story - but not my sort of film. Interesting to read afterwards that Mickey O'Keefe, who played the police sergeant and Micky's mentor was Micky's real-life mentor and had never acted before. I thought he did a brilliant job.

Only 5/10 from me, I'm afraid.

[andyskinner88]

i saw this film yesterday in milton keynes and i found it very good
it started slow but i thoughly enjoyed the film and have started recommending it to friends

my film rating 9/10

[Amie]

Really enjoyed this last night. At one point, during one of the fights, my heart was racing like crazy. I really got into it.

[redgigha]

I saw this in Clydebank a week or so ago. I'd seen the trailer a few weeks earlier and had been interested to watch it, but not sure if it'd be any good. It was better than i had expected but i can't see it winning many awards.

I hated the family (especially the mum and Dicky) and the way they treated Mickey but I guess we're supposed to. I can't say that my opinion of them improved as the film ended either. However I did enjoy the film and think that it was well made.

[shivsena]

Great film, can't believe Mark Wahlberg is not nominated for an Oscar. I thought he played his part really well.

[Mesa7719]

I got to see this thru a Sky preview before it came out. I didnt expect to like it to be honest, but was very suprised at how much I really did enjoy it. I thought Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Melissa Leo were fab!!

Was suprised that Christian Bale didnt win the Bafta, but was equally happy for Geoffrey Rush!

[raj101]

sat down to watch West is West with my brother, very suprised to see adverts roll up on the screen followed by the 'the fighter' certificate 15 etc etc. Was about to leave to go to the next door screen, but a cinema attendant was evil eyeing us on the way there, so we chickened and went back in.

All in all though not a disappointment. Some cruddy fight scenes were balanced by good, well timed acting, a well told story, some well timed laughs, intriguing characters and shots of Amy Adam's legs.

Bale's constant OTTP mugging was annoying at first, but he improved, and when you hear the real Dicky's voice at the end you realise he was getting his impression spot on. Not sure he was worth a bafta nomination for it though, and he didnt look like his character in size and shape. Wahlberg bore more of a resemblance to the real Micky Ward, who was and is old looking for his age.

[azzman1984]

I saw The Fighter in Birmingham and wow what a film, the performances were amazing.