The formula is not new. A man has to face different obstacles to overcome nature, overcome step and learn an important lesson before the end of the film. No shortage of voices counselors a coach, trainer or similar, nor a colleague who is with him and support him forever.
So why tempt me see Winner (The Fighter)? What is so different from the rest?
I do not think that has to do, necessarily, in fact be based on a true story we have also already seen that. I think Winner differs from the sum of small decisions that were taken that, to tell a story of this particular way and not another.
If one looks closely, you can see that there are several details that are a function of the form to tell something.
The film shows a slice of the life of boxer Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg), his half brother, Dickie Eklund (Christian Bale), his family and the Charleene (Amy Adams), the woman who helps change a little life. Sounds a little mixed? can be ... I think it is the intention of the film give us a picture not very orderly roles that each plays in the network family to go semi clearing the panorama, as the movie progresses, to let us expose the most hidden of all: Micky.
This boy a little stricken in years, according to the parameters of the sport, is one of the 11 children in a family very particular and disorderly. The movie is about showing in second place for his older brother, Dickie, a former boxer who had a moment of glory, a rather eccentric inflated by his family to after becoming addicted to crack which simulates taking his time Micky train.
The movie begins with scenes of a documentary being filmed at that time, about the life of Dickie about his supposed return to the ring. In these scenes, walks Dickie through the streets of his neighborhood, waving to all the neighbors, getting a little canchero recounting their past exploits. The camera follows him and at one point he invites his brother Micky, who is working in asphalt, to join the scene and so takes to tell it was he who taught everything that today the least known about box. Micky is shy at first but then breaks off in the fuck of her brother and both end up in a nice representation of their camaraderie.
With this simple scene, the Director (David O. Russell) shows two or three things about the characters and story, leaving it too: First, the documentary gives us to understand that this is a story based on real events. Second, Dickie appears as the hero but in reality passes us the story of the hero being treated rather on Micky, who is now in a different order of priorities in the picture. It also gives us a first glimpse of the personality of each (one more simulated and mounted on its own character and another real , feet on the ground ... or asphalt) and the difficult relationship between them and the other nearby. Thus, the scene ahead of us a little battle that likely will have to give everyone in this part of their lives.
Thereafter, the film is guiding history, a subtle story. While we recognize that there are clichés in this sub-genre of improvement, the subtle passes away. No matter if you already know or anticipate how they will cope situations, not if we imagine the role that they will comply with certain characters. With small details Winner is putting us in history despite these somewhat hackneyed and gets put focus on the wealth that has this family biography apparently mixed. So, slowly, begin to see history through the eyes of Micky, without forcing an obvious or violent.
In this story there are many things mixed up and jumbled. From family ties to versions of the same event. There is nothing that looks like one way. There is no absolute good or bad families and this is no exception. There are no villains or heroes totals. That reality is raw and tender at once ... and I think the director chose to tell through the story of Micky because he who has the closer look at the reality , with all the good and bad in it. Or at least, is he opening his eyes first, making the prospect of change all around.
Whether this story is similar to other ... here's another way to tell.
Like Micky, Mark Wahlberg and this movie were a bit ignored in the Oscar awards, but were nominated. I recommend you not to ignore it and give it a chance one of these.
