Fighting It's Way To The Top

You wonder what a movie like The Fighter is doing in this "supposed mythology blog". But I'm here to tell you that it has every right to do so. Mark Wahlberg's movie is one of the few that both movie critics and boxing fans could enjoy together, with a hint of myth in it too.

Micky Ward, the movie's main character is a professional boxer from a middle-class family (hero coming from a "pure family", works hard to get to where he is today). However, he hasn't had much success. He is trained by his older brother Dicky, who once used to be a great boxer, defeating the greats such as Sugar Ray. Now, he has fallen to the pyramid of cocaine, addicted to it. (the hero's mentor having a troubled past).

Dicky is caught by the police one day and Micky tries to stop this (the hero saving his companion or sidekick from getting in trouble). The day after, Micky is soundly defeated by a much heavier opponent during a match, contemplating whether he should ever box again (the hero seems to be down and out). However, after firing his mother and brother, he gets a new trainer and a fresh start. He is trained hard by the various techniques by his new mentor Sal Lonano and eventually Dicky when he gets out of prison (the hero encountering his road of trials, working to get back on top). Micky fights to the last round (the hero fighting to the final inch, until the last bell) and defeats his opponent for a shot at the welterweight title (the hero finally getting his chance to be on top). The next months as he prepares for the big fight in London are hectic. Micky has to fight away bad influences by his family and turns to god to help him during this (a religious or superficial "being" helping the hero during his journey).

After fighting his way to the top (the inner most cave, the hero finally being able to realize his potential), Micky defeats his latest opponent in an upset victory (the hero being an underdog for most of the story, being down but able to get back up), and wins the welterweight title. After a couple years, we see the two brothers training together, with Micky just getting married to the love of his life.

Micky Ward endures his quest to become welterweight champion, goes through his road of trials by training hard and staying true to himself. His innermost cave leads him to become champion, something nobody would have imagined at the start of the movie. His mentor is his brother, who can also be the "shapeshifter", having a good side and a bad side. It all leads back to the hero, as he overcomes all odds to be the biggest underdog in boxing history.

This is a true story as well, so now I ask you faithful readers, Have you seen a story like this before, and how does it link to mythology of past?