Mark Wahlberg Talks Surprising Female Love For ‘The Fighter’: ‘Women Responded Much Stronger’

“The Fighter” is earning heaps of critical acclaim and hoping to knock out the competition at the Golden Globes and The Oscars. While the boxing docudrama features many scenes that live up to its violent title, the film’s star, Mark Wahlberg, believes the story carries a universal message.

“[‘The Fighter’] is a story about a family and the relationships and love and faith,” Mark told Access Hollywood at the National Board of Review Awards on Tuesday. “I think anybody can identify with it on some level.”

The 39-year-old actor was pleased to discover that the film successfully bridges the gender gap – of course, the chance to see those famous abs on the big screen may have had some influence as well — remember those Calvin Klein ads?!?

“To see the reaction of women seeing the movie for the first time — and you say anything to do with fighting and they want to be as far away from it as possible –but the women responded much stronger to the movie than men,” Mark told Access.

“The Fighter” recently earned six Golden Globe Award nominations – something Mark and the drama’s director, David O. Russell, weren’t initially expecting.

“It’s a beautiful thing! We never expect it, especially not while filming, but we’re thrilled to have it,” Mark smiled. “I mean, gosh, we didn’t care if we were the only people who saw the movie and had to invite our family and friends and show it to them. So, to have all of this stuff happening is awesome.”

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