LESS STYLISH than Raging Bull, less euphoric than the Rocky films, The Fighter (US/15A/115 mins) is a boxing movie made in the image of its hero, ‘Irish’ Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg), a solid but unspectacular Irish-American scrapper who slugged his way to a shot at the world title in the mid-’90s.

Nicole Kidman triumphs in this harrowing, though often funny, story of death, grief, mourning and a couple, previously apparently blissfully contented, coming apart.

Beyonce Knowles will be coached for her role as Etta James in a forthcoming movie about blues label Chess Records by the singing legend herself.

Beyonce Knowles is to play music legend Etta James in a new film about blues label Chess Records.