The boxing film makes a comeback

There have not been many great boxing films since “Raging Bull” in 1980. In fact, there haven’t been many boxing films period. “The Fighter” is the best film in the genre to arrive in quite some time.

The movie opens with Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale) speaking for an HBO documentary. Eklund previously achieved some fame after knocking down Sugar Ray Leonard in a match. Now he is addicted to crack and no longer boxes.

His younger brother, Micky, is played by Mark Wahlberg. Micky has had little success and is just a stepping stone for other boxers. It doesn’t help that his family only cares about Dicky’s past success, not about Micky’s possible success.

Christian Bale and Melissa Leo are masterful as Micky’s family. They understand the line between love and contempt perfectly.

The film’s real subject is fame, not boxing. One brother lost it, another one wants it. “The Fighter” is a fascinating journey in search of it.