Golden Globe Nominated Performance Review #2: Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg in "The Fighter"

When going to see a movie, all eyes must be front-and-center on the leading actor or actress at all times. If it’s a comedy, the lead performer theoretically has to supply the film’s sunniest moments. And if it’s a drama, the star technically has to handle the motion picture’s heaviest material. Thus, said performer has to be very talented as well as capable of providing an emotionally honest performance. However, there are occasions in which the supporting player ends up carrying the movie’s most emotional material; thus becoming the one the viewers are focused on. An example of this scenario would be David O’ Russell’s cinematic drama "The Fighter"; in which Christian Bale’s emotional performance as supporting character Dickey Ekland completely outshines Mark Wahlberg’s enervated part as chief protagonist Micky Ward. Thus, I can say without looking back that:

Christian Bale Proves to Be the Real Champion of "The Fighter" and Surpasses Mark Wahlberg

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Set in the mid 1980’s in Lowell, Massachusetts, "The Fighter" tells the true story of Micky Ward, portrayed by Wahlberg, and Dickey Ekland, played by Bale, two brothers who are being followed by a camera crew for a HBO documentary. Dicky is a former boxer that has been celebrated for defeating combatant Sugar Ray Leonard and his success has gone to his head; so much so that he constantly brags about his victory to everyone he knows or crosses paths with. Now, he is training his brother Micky; who wants to break out of his brother’s shadow and become a winner himself. Unfortunately, Dicky isn’t the most dependable trainer as he does not appear when his family prepares to go to Atlantic City for Micky’s pivotal boxing match. The brothers’ mother and Micky’s manager Alice, played with such power by Melissa Leo, discover that Dicky brother is at a house doing drugs with his friends. Following a spat with their father George, played by Jack McGee, the family goes to Atlantic City for the fight which unfortunately does not go as well as planned as Micky is forced to fight an opponent far larger than him after the original challenger got sick; unfortunately resulting in Micky losing the match. Things get worst following an uncomfortable family dinner in which Micky’s new girlfriend Charlene, played strongly by Amy Adams, meets his kin and recommends that he hires a new administrator and that he dumps his brother as his trainer along with loses his mother as his manager. In an attempt to make things better, Dicky develops an ill-conceived plan to help raise money for training; which unfortunately involves prostitution. Consequently; Dicky gets into a fight with the local cops and Micky arrives on the scene to help sort things out; unfortunately leading the authorities to break his hand and arresting both brothers for disruptive behavior. While the younger brother is let go, Dicky is incarcerated; leaving the younger brother to go with a new manager as his older sibling serves time. And while Wahlberg primarily handles the biopic’s generic fist-hitting action as Micky Ward, Bale gives the performance of his career as Dicky Ekland; who eventually proves to be the film’s true emotional center.

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During the course of "The Fighter", it is reasonably clear that Christian Bale has put in a lot of effort into his spectacular turn as Dicky Ekland; thus making him the true star of the film. For one thing, he made sure that he looked and acted exactly like the person he was portraying; as evident the real-life footage of the two brothers that appears during the film’s closing credits. Bale ensured that he lost the required amount of weight for his role as Micky Ward’s brother and trainer; guaranteeing that he exactly resembled a person that had tampered with his body through years of drug use. But the most obvious reason why his performance shined so bright was that his acting was completely deep. When constantly telling everyone he sees about how he is the subject of a HBO documentary, Bale gave give emphasis to every word spoken with such gusto; clearly giving his portrayal of Dicky Ekland an extra dash of over-self-assurance. Also, when sharing his scenes with Leo’s Alice, the confrontational arguments over their handling of Micky’s career were so intense and independent that you completely forgot that Wahlberg was in the movie. But, the best sequences of the film are set during Dicky’s incarceration; particularly when the younger brother is competing in a match without his big brother serving as his guide. Bale gives such a zealous performance as he yearns to be in the ring and coaching his brother; even going as far as to listen to the fight over the prison phone and struggling to hear what’s going on during the fight as his fellow inmates clamor loudly. And when Bale’s Dicky gathers the inmates to watch the premier of his documentary, thinking that he is going to be shown as a celebrated hero, he is shocked to see what is being broadcasted; since it eventually turns out that HBO had more surprising and upsetting intentions for following the brothers around Lowell. And Bale gives such a greatly-acted, mind-shattering reaction that you completely forget that you are watching a Hollywood actor in a film; you could swear that you are observing the real-life Dicky Ekland experience a traumatic and emotional spiral. In other words, Christian Bale gives such a heartrending performance, that you completely forget the Mark Wahlberg is essentially the star of the film.

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But when you do compare Wahlberg’s general act as the official lead to Bale’s more brilliant performance, the variations are more than evident. First of all, Wahlberg’s Micky’s physique appears no different than his previous films; whereas Christian Bale went-the-extra-mile to resemble Dicky Ekland’s physical build and traits. Another obviously generic aspect of Wahlberg’s performance is that his influence carries no dramatic weight or force; in other words, whenever he raises the tone of his voice- it’s just Wahlberg speaking at a louder pitch. In other words, there is no bang or punch to his dialogue; while Bale enables every spoken-word to stick with you. Furthermore, every time Wahlberg’s Micky interacts with Leo’s Alice or Adams’ Charlene, there is a lack of emotional compassion present; in other words, you don’t feel for him as he gives a flat recital at all time. Thankfully, Bale’s amazing act as Dicky is so powerful that even when he is not the subject of the topic at hand, his vibrant presence is felt at all times. In addition, when Wahlberg is interacting with Adams or Leo, it is obvious that his co-stars’ performances pack more strength and energy. You could even go as far as to say that whenever Bale, Leo, and Adams are interrelating, Wahlberg’s physical and emotional presence in the film is almost undetectable; and the only times his presence is noticeable are when he’s in the boxing ring. In other words, Mark Wahlberg’s dramatic scenes in The Fighter are not as memorable as Bale’s and their co-stars’; who ultimately end up providing the film’s most theatrical scenes.

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But when Mark Wahlberg is acting along with Christian Bale, there is somewhat of a noticeable improvement in his acting. Since they are playing brothers, the two had to ensure that they each gave an emotional performance when acting with each other. And while Bale is obviously the better artist between the two, Wahlberg actually bring a some zest to the plate; particularly in a scene in which his Micky Ward gives Bale’s Dicky Ekland some troubling news regarding his older brother’s position as trainer. However, Bale still ends up giving the more unforgettable performance; just for his striking reaction. In short terms, Christian Bale is just the better actor in every way.

In the long run, "The Fighter" eventually ends up being a showcase for the supporting cast; and Mark Wahlberg, who essentially is the film’s star, is relegated to being more of a magnet for his opponents’ fist punches. And Christian Bale’s dramatic stint as Dicky Ekland is definitely a performance to profoundly keep in mind this Awards Season; which is filled with many great showcases. Furthermore, out of the two performers, I definitely see Bale receiving higher accolades than his film’s essential lead. Henceforth, since he gave a much more amazing performance, maybe Christian Bale should be hired as Mark Wahlberg’s new acting coach. That way, life will have successfully imitated art.