The Fighter

The Fighter is a 2010 biographical sports drama film directed by David O. Russell, and starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo and Amy Adams. The film centers on the life of professional boxer "Irish" Micky Ward (Wahlberg) and his older half-brother Dicky Eklund (Bale). The film also stars Amy Adams as Micky's love interest, and Melissa Leo as Micky's and Dicky's mother. The Fighter is Russell and Wahlberg's third film collaboration, following Three Kings and I Heart Huckabees.

The film was released in select North American theaters on December 17, 2010 and was released in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2011.^[5] It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, winning the awards for Best Supporting Actor (Christian Bale) and Best Supporting Actress (Melissa Leo). It was the first film to win both awards since Hannah and Her Sisters in 1986.^{[citation needed]}

^{In chapter 5, we catch Micky on his first date with love interest Charlene.  He takes her to an artsy cinema out of town to avoid showing} 

^{his battered face in his home town of Lowell.  Micky explains why and we are given insight as to how he and quite possibly we wrongly} 

^{view ourselves.}

Romans 1:2-7 (The Message)

^2-7The sacred writings contain preliminary reports by the prophets on God's Son. His descent from David roots him in history; his unique identity as Son of God was shown by the Spirit when Jesus was raised from the dead, setting him apart as the Messiah, our Master. Through him we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus. You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ.

In chapter 8, we see Dicky came face to face with his past and the realization of his own life of self-denial.  Tough part for him is that it comes publicly and at a place in his life where he seemingly has no control over his current situation.  This leads us to chapter 9 and an illustration of the start of that beautiful act of redemption through Dicky's submission, seeking of forgiveness and his beginning down the path laden with grace and mercy which leads us all home.  

1 Corinthians 11:13-14 (The Message)

 ^13-16Don't you agree there is something naturally powerful in the symbolism—a woman, her beautiful hair reminiscent of angels, praying in adoration; a man, his head bared in reverence, praying in submission?

Psalm 130:5-8 (The Message)

 ^5-6 I pray to God—my life a prayer—
      and wait for what he'll say and do.
   My life's on the line before God, my Lord,
      waiting and watching till morning,
      waiting and watching till morning.

 ^7-8 O Israel, wait and watch for God—
      with God's arrival comes love,
      with God's arrival comes generous redemption.