“The Fighter” Screening with Cast
For boxing fans, Christmas comes early as the highly-anticipated “The Fighter” opens December 10 in limited release and theaters nationwide on December 17. This new film, based on the life and career of “Irish” Micky Ward, has had the boxing community buzzing for months. The Boston slugger is best known and beloved for his thrilling trilogy with the late Arturo Gatti. In the film, Mark Wahlberg delivers a knockout performance as he convincingly takes on the role of Ward–both in and out of the ring–while on the big screen.
Next month, fans and moviegoers will be able to see this true story for themselves–and you will not be disappointed. A full review to come in a future “Chatter Box” column. But for now, here’s an exclusive sneak peek behind an advance screening in Beverly Hills, where the audience was also treated to a very special panel discussion with the cast from “The Fighter.”
Director David O. Russell, Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melisso Leo and Anthony Molinari took to the stage after the film was shown. Bale stands up to the challenge of portraying boxer-turned crack addict Dickie Eklund (Ward’s half-brother) and both he, Wahlberg, and the entire cast wowed the crowd in attendance. No small feat considering this wasn’t exactly your average group of ticketholders. The audience was made up of many industry types, including working actors, aspiring filmmakers, writers, producers and even a couple of boxers sprinkled in the mix.
As the full house in the theater watched the end credits roll, everyone stood up and cheered in appreciation for what they just saw. The new film deftly combines both drama and plenty of unexpected humor during its 116 minutes. Then as the talented ensemble cast walked down the aisle up toward the seats on the stage, the crowd went wild. This movie proved it isn’t just for hardcore boxing fans–in the crowd of young and old, male and female, and all races, many of whom weren’t “normal” boxing fans, “The Fighter” had everyone on their feet applauding.
Wahlberg, Bale and their associates took to their seats but the cheering continued. The director and actors nodded and smiled at the acknowledgment from their peers. Wahlberg lifted his director’s hand up–in victory style–as the theatre rumbled with appreciation.
During the panel discussion that proceeded, actor Wahlberg, who is also one of the producers of the Paramount Pictures film, relayed that getting the film made was much like any hard-fought boxing match with its challenges, difficulties, and roadblocks along the way. “If I tried to build the Brooklyn Bridge, that would’ve been easier,” he quipped of the process of making the movie, near and dear to his heart. Both he and Ward are from hardscrabble neighborhoods; Wahlberg grew up in Dorchester and Ward hails from Lowell. There are other similarities between these Boston boys noted Walhberg from his seat on the stage. Both come from a blue-collar family of nine kids, both families have had many brushes with the law, and both men have boxing in their blood.
The actor, who is also of some Irish descent, said he trained for over two years while immersing himself in this role of his boxing hero. He and co-star Bale have also been seen visiting Wild Card and other L.A. gyms. Wahlberg even had a full-sized boxing ring set up in his home. This dedication paid off as filmgoers–and more importantly to us true boxing aficionados–will be mesmerized by the action scenes in the film. This was no coincidence noted Wahlberg.
After speaking with his mentor, Martin Scorsese (who shot the legendary “Raging Bull”), Mark said his aim was to try and film the most realistic boxing scenes that he possibly could. Considering the film was shot in a scant 33 days with only three days of boxing footage actually filmed, “The Fighter” delivers in that promise. Wahlberg even had a “secret weapon” in capturing such great images of pugilism through the lens. “We even used the SAME film crew that shot the Gatti-Ward fights!” he proudly noted of the added realism brought to the celluloid screen.
Worcester native Anthony Molinari also joined the moderated Q&A session and praised Wahlberg’s dedication to the sweet science. Molinari plays boxer Shea Neary in the film. The actor/athlete told the audience about the reshoots he took part in versus the hard-hitting Walhberg. Molinari was taken aback somewhat by the actor’s intense work ethic on the canvas. The actor really took it to him, “I was impressed; he took it to another level!” Wahlberg and Molinari told the assembled crowd some funny anecdotes about their boxing training; Mark also reminded the audience that he had no problem getting in shape. “Remember I was a rapper and an underwear model,” he joked good-naturedly of his previous careers in show biz.
And up until now, real-life fighter Micky Ward has been thought of solely for his classic trilogy versus the late Arturo Gatti. Now, thanks to his “reel-life” counterpart of Mark Wahlberg, the world can hear and see his story–and what he endured on the way to winning his light welterweight titles. His loyal ties to his trouble-plagued brother stymied those at the time, but in watching his story fans can see how Ward’s legacy was built through all this turmoil–and with a large dose of credit given to the at times out-of-control Eklund as well. Dickie’s own claim to fame is that he knocked down Sugar Ray Leonard during a fight back in the day.
Bale and Wahlberg said the ensemble cast became very close while shooting with Ward and Eklund even bunking at Mark’s house for a few days during filming. This shared time together built trust through the men which enabled the actors to 
accurately bring their characters to life. Christian Bale (“The Dark Knight,” “Batman Begins”) has long been respected as one of the best actors of his generation; in this performance in “The Fighter” viewers will be blown away by his pitch-perfect portrayal of the animated, charismatic–and crack addict and jailbird–Dickie Eklund.
“He just inhaled Dickie!” marveled Wahlberg of his fellow thespian’s tour-de-force performance. Christian added that Eklund is still like the “Mayor in the streets of Lowell” who speaks his own language of “Dickinese” as the crowd cracked up. Bale told us he even watched the last few minutes with this live audience and was overwhelmed by the support and reaction.
During the discussion I had a chance to ask Wahlberg a question. I inquired how the sport ranks between his love of golf and his passion for the Boston Celtics. “Oh, more than the Celtics for sure,” he quickly replied, which made this Laker girl happy. The avid golfer thought for a second, answering, “Boxing doesn’t compare to any other sport; it’s just you and the other guy! It’s the sport others aspire to.”
The popular film star then told us about his love of golf. Then the humble actor decided, “But if I had to choose between being a championship golfer or a championship boxer–I’d choose boxing!” Good choice, Mark.
After the screening and Q&A, Wahlberg surprised the guests by sticking around for a while chatting with audience members and posing with fellow actors and athletes in the room.
Boxing trainer and sculptor Steve Harpst and I went up to congratulate the actor on an excellent performance of Micky Ward. We mentioned that we met the Irish slugger when he came out to L.A. a couple of months ago. The former WBU champ attended a Thompson Boxing Promotions show to accept a “Prizefighter” bronze award for his contributions in the sweet science. “Micky’s a sweetheart, isn’t he?” agreed Wahlberg. “I’ll see him soon! He’ll be back out here for the premiere.”
As the down-to-earth actor continued to greet a long line of well wishers, we began to exit the venue. I couldn’t help but notice everyone around me still raving about “The Fighter.” This movie should make a splash, especially during this awards season. The film appeals to a mass audience, as I noticed while chatting with others during a break in the action.
Two young African-American guys loved the movie for its boxing realism and the action-packed fight scenes. A pretty blonde in her 30s told me that she hasn’t enjoyed a film like this since “The Blind Side” with Sandra Bullock. “It has that same appeal since they’re both sports movies,” she shared. “But in general, it’s also the very BEST movie I’ve seen all year–and I’ve been to over 30 screenings!”
She also remarked about the outpouring of support for the cast. “And in all the screenings, I have NEVER seen or felt such a great reaction that the crowd gave the cast. It was an incredible.” As the woman and I continued to talk, a pair of gray-haired ladies passed by and chimed in. They, too, were shocked at how much they loved this “boxing” film. “I have to go home and think about this movie,” one of the women said. “It really made an impact. What a story! I can’t believe what this man went through.”
Those who love pugilism know that there is always a story behind every boxer.
“The Fighter” brings to life the story of Micky Ward. And what a story it is.
Congratulations to the whole cast and crew.
For more info: www.thefightermovie.com
Photos by Steve Harpst/ “The Fighter” poster courtesy of Paramount Pictures