The Fighter (2011)

Based on the true story of Irish/American boxer Mickey Wards unlikely road to a shot at the world light middleweight title in 2000.

Great performances from Mark Wahlberg as Ward and Christian Bale as his troubled wayward brother Dicky, The Fighter is a finely paced and beautifully shot real life Rocky tale, warts and all.

Well paced and never needlessly over dramatic, The Fighter is a fine start to 2011's movie calender.

*****