[satfrat]

I watched this movie 2nd after TRON and boy am I glad I did. I can see why this movie was nominated for a Golden Globe. Starts out a bit slow, a true story of Mickey Ward and his brother from the streets of Lowell, Mass.. The characters are well,, simply real characters, what one would expect coming out of the tuff streets of Lowell. Mickey's sisters, brother, and mother,,,,,, well after you get introduced to this crew and then to the beating that Mickey Ward took in the ring, it makes it that much more incredible that he not only got a shot at the title but won it. The emotion that one develops as this movie progressses is what makes it so good. And in all good true story movies, it ends with a cameo from the real Mickey Ward and his crackpot brother. Definitely 1 of the best movies that I got to see this year IMHO. 
 
4.5 out of 5 stars.

edit: maybe helping the reason why I connected with this movie so much is because I watched so many Mickey Ward fights and remember the beatings this guys would take only to pull out a knockout out of thin air when many of todays refs would have stopped the fight. Mickey's face today still weathers them many beatings along with the last ones he took at the hands of Arturo Gatti that retired him.
 
 
Cheers,
Robin

[santacore]

I recently got an Academy screener of this and watched over half of it last night. Overall it was great, and I really look forward to finishing it. Christian Bale definitely sells the part of the brother, and the sisters are too much. From what I've seen I would definitely recommend this movie.

[alan m. kafton]

Having seen Mickey Ward fight many times, I am looking forward to this film. Mark Wahlberg impresses me more and more with each film (anyone see The Departed?), and I read that he took this role quite seriously, especially preparing for what was necessary in the ring.

[S Clark]

Christian Bale turns in an absolutely riveting performance. I haven't seen such a physically transformation since De Niro's Raging Bull. This one is a must see.

[mcgsxr]

I thought it was a great movie, and a moving story.

Part of the reason for it, is that the characters are so vividly generated, that they spawn emotional response effectively - all actors portrayed their characters strongly.

Having seen Christian Bale transform himself for The Mechanic, I knew that he would live the part, and he really does.

I liked it, though I found I was frustrated by the family! 

[satfrat]

Mickey Ward's mother just passed away the other day btw. It made me wonder if she saw how she was portrayed in the movie. I found it to be a touch of irony that she would pass away just a few weeks after the movie's opening. 
 
Cheers,
Robin

[bpape]

We went to see it  just after it came out. Excellent movie IMO. It's always hard to do a movie about family when family isn't 'good'. 

It was even more interesting having watched the real Mickey fight back in the day.

Bryan

[jimdgoulding]

Christian Bale turns in an absolutely riveting performance. I haven't seen such a physically transformation since De Niro's Raging Bull. This one is a must see.

Rented this and think it's deserves every Oscar it won.  Great film.

[rodge827]

I liked it, though I found I was frustrated by the family!

Yes I agree the acting was so good I found myself angerly commenting at the mother. Then came a big resounding "YES!" at the climax.
Oh and by the way I never comment during a movie.......a must rent!