David O. Russell’s The Fighter, now a Best Picture Oscar nominee, is based on a true story of ordinary people trying to overcome the limitations posed by their social status in order to fulfill their dreams.
The plot: Dicky, a boxer who once beat the great Sugar Ray Leonard, is now a crack addict who occasionally trains is younger half-brother Micky to prepare him for matches that he regularly loses. The losses pile up until Micky, realizing that in spite of their well intentions Dicky and their mother, who is his manager, are actually unable to fully realize his potential, decides to break out of their yoke.
Russell, a Best Director Oscar nominee, skillfully directs his cast, extracting great performances from Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo (all three Best Supporting Acting nominees) and even Mark Wahlberg, who’s not known for being a thespian. Bale and Leo are actually widely expected to win in their respective categories.
A well-written screenplay together with great editing complete a production that will make you care for the lives of these semi-outcasts whose dreams live to see another day.
Grade: 8
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