Melissa Leo talks about her Oscar nominated role

THE FIGHTER is the inspirational true story of two boxing legends. Dicky Ecklund (CHRISTIAN BALE) is a former boxing legend whose life has become shattered by drug abuse whilst Micky Ward (MARK WAHLBERG), his half brother, has become the town’s fighter and fading hope for a champion. But with Micky losing fight after punishing fight, it takes iron-willed Charlene (AMY ADAMS), to help him split with his family, pursue his own interests and train without his criminal brother.
What is The Fighter about?
The story of the Fighter is about Micky Ward and his struggle for his champion belt and the struggle involves a loving and severe family and David O. Russell has told this story so eloquently and truthfully, humour filled and poignant that you barely think you are watching a boxing movie.
What character do you play in the movie?
I play Alice Ward, who is the mother of Micky Ward and his older brother, Dick Eckland and she also is the mother of seven girls!
Can you tell us a bit more about your character?
She visually manages the younger brother Micky Ward and because of the family’s own entanglements with itself, it falls apart, and eventually Mickey triumphs with the help of his family.
What attracted you to the role?
What attracted me to the role was David’s belief that I could play it. Before I even knew her, I had a script to read that I could really ascertain what was being put in front of me, he had an excitement, not only about the project and Alice Ward, but me being Alice Ward, so I just decided to meet that head long and see what it brought!
What do you think people will take away from the movie?
I think that this is just going to be a thrilling night at the movies, I think that there is something in it literally for everyone, and that there’s a wondrous ending to it, and just a great night at the movies, and then something to talk about the next day!
THE FIGHTER is released in the UK on the 2nd of February