The Fighter - A-

In theaters, Rated R for language and drug use.

Boxing easily makes the best sports movies. In part, it's the isolated competition with the opponent but also the competition from within. The lack of bats, clubs, and balls makes it more personal. The lack of teammates lays the groundwork for great tales of personal adaptation, triumph, and redemption. The Fighter tells the story of Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) which is similar to Jim Braddock in Cinderella Man: a modest career followed by a brief retirement and a broken hand; then, a return to the ring and an unlikely championship . . .

Except this time, instead of fighting for his family, Ward fights for pride. The first half of the film follows Micky as he is mismanaged by his overbearing mother Alice (Melissa Leo) and his brother Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale), a former boxer and current crack addict. They get him into matches they shouldn't and guilt him into staying close to his family instead of taking care of himself. After a brutal loss, Micky retires and enjoys time with Charlene (Amy Adams) who he has just met. She encourages him to take up boxing again. After Dicky goes to prison, Micky's training goes into overdrive after watching an HBO documentary on crack addiction, which heavily featured his brother and their hometown of Lowell, Massachusetts.At this point, the film really takes off. Initially, it's a modestly successful depiction of the working class and their self-inflicted struggles. Then, it quickly becomes the most exhilarating film of the year. Part of this is due to director David O. Russell's musical choices and part of this is the acting. Like one of Micky's matches, the film lulls you to sleep before landing an unbelievable combination of punches that will knock you flat. Russell doesn't rely on any special tricks, choosing a documentary style instead. The boxing matches are filmed on video, which helps with the authenticity, as does the 90s era graphics.

Leo and Wahlberg are fine but slightly too theatrical and stilted, respectively. I wasn't completely sold on Bale's performance during the first half, where it felt too mannered. But when he goes to jail (and gets off crack), he finds the heart of the character, beginning with a one-on-one talk with a visiting Micky. Bale's singing of Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again" as he walks Micky down the aisle to the title bout is surprisingly touching and appropriate on many levels. The performance of the film belongs to Ms. Adams, who doesn't hit a false note - every expression, line, and word is perfect.

There are other flaws, including the underdeveloped sisters and audience-pandering attempts at humor. The last bout's competitor is unnecessarily and distractingly unsympathetic. But you better see a cardiologist if you're not cheering during the last 45 minutes - not only for Micky to win, but also for Dicky to prevail over his personal demons. It's a triumph - in and out of the ring. A-