Not knowing was probably a blessing, as I've mentioned before I often find biographies unsettling, and that was avoided here, but I think knowing that it was adhering, however roughly to actual events would have helped me accept a plot that felt really rather contrived.
You see, boxing films are generally not about boxing. Oh sure, someone is likely to punch someone else at some point, but more often than not such blows represent the fury of some other conflict within the characters life. This is why many film based boxers are Rocky types who can take on serious trauma and still stand up. We love a guy with heart. A character with character. But they're often a little more subtle than that, less straightforward. Not so with The Fighter. The relationship is pretty much one to one. It's used explicitly as a metaphor illustrating the ways in which he differs from his brother and his success in the ring isn't related to his determination or fitness, but how happy he happens to be at the time and how he feels about his brother. A little bit of Amy Adams and the guy is all but invincible. Which I guess is understandable.
It does have certain merits. Despite it's aggravatingly blatant subtext it's a decent if predictable story and one I can't help but think would have made for a smashing documentary. The in film documentary itself is an interesting device, used to frame certain events and it's showing is perhaps the pivotal moment of the plot, during which the change in demeanour Bale's character undergoes was compelling enough to make me reevaluate his presence in what is a very strange role. Almost unrecognisably wiry and addled, and sporting a bizarre accent, he's both the films comic relief and essentially one of it's antagonists. Distinctive no doubt, but a bit on the weird side.
Ultimately I found the film shallow. Despite an apparent attempt to engage with powerful drama, it makes few demands on the viewer, to back that drama up with anything other than the usual sporting cliches.
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