Oscar Roundup: The Fighter (David O. Russell, 2010) ***1/2

Director: David O. Russell
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, Amy Adams

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress (Leo), Best Supporting Actress (Adams), Best Supporting Actor (Bale), Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing

Story: Follows the true story of up and coming boxer Mickey Ward (Wahlberg) and the struggle he faces trying to make the best decisions for his career and balancing that with staying loyal to his brother Dicky Eklund (Bale), a former boxer who has become a crack addict.

Review: If you want to see what great acting is all about, The Fighter is a shining example. This is one of the best ensemble performances by a cast in a long time. Much has been writ of Bale's stunning transformation and his performance is deserving of every bit of praise it has received, and so are the much praised turns from Amy Adams (as Ward's feisty girlfriend) and Melissa Leo (as his melodramatic mother). However, I think Wahlberg's own central performance has been sadly overlooked. It's a quiet, nuanced performance that provides a strong emotional foundation at the center of the film. With all these parts in place, David O. Russell (director of previouos greats Flirting With Disaster and Three Kings) creates an authentic depiction of lower class urban life and a moving depiction of the battle between family loyalty and personal fulfillment. If there are any flaws, it's that everything gets tied up a little too neatly in the end. It's the one part of the film that feels more "written" than real.

Oscar Outlook: Christian Bale is an absolute lock to win his first Oscar. Melissa Leo is the frontrunner in the Supporting Actress category (although I think her costar Adams was better), but there has been some talk of a possible Hailee Steinfeld upset. The Fighter has no chance in any of the other categories.

Trivia: Wahlberg had been trying to get this movie made since 2005. He previously tried to get Martin Scorsese to direct and later had Darren Aronofsky on board, who left to work on fellow Best Picture nominee Black Swan. Matt Damon and Brad Pitt were previously attached to play the role of Dicky Eklund.