The Fighter is a drama about boxer Micky Ward (Wahlberg) and his unlikely path to become world lightweight champion. Bale plays Dicky Eklund, Micky's half-brother and a talented fighter who once went the distance with Sugar Ray Leonard in a title fight but then turned to crime and landed in prison. Then he turned his life around and helped his underperforming brother find the spark for a remarkable run that led to the world title.
This was a really entertaining movie. I wouldn't go putting it on my top ten list or throwing Oscar buzz out there for the movie though. The performances yes. The movie no. Christian Bale should probably be a lock for Best Supporting Actor. Melissa Leo also could easily be nominated. Mark Wahlberg and Amy Adams were also good but didn't have to bring as much to their characters as the other two. You really get hooked in to the crazy family dynamics in this movie and root for Mark Wahlberg's character to make it and for Christian Bale to make a turnaround.
I would definitely recommend people checking this one out. It is one of the few movies out there for the holiday season that are actually worth the time and money.