"He just got off the couch..."

Fresh from its double KO at the Oscars, The Fighter is bound to be spinning like crazy in home theaters this weekend, and our house was no exception. The true story of Massachusetts ("The Pride of Lowell!") boxer Micky Ward's road in search of the light welterweight title, aided and obstructed by his family.


David O. Russell really delivers the goods, returning to the same killer form he exhibited in Three Kings (way back in 1999). The Fighter has a lot in common with The Town, both pictures are full of tremendous performances and both revel in their blue collah Massachusetts families.


Christian Bale is simply amazing here. He seems to somehow physically tranform himself from one role to the next. Here it's like he's even transformed his skull, he looks so hollow and gaunt as Micky's crack-addicted brother and trainer Dicky, it's hard to believe this is the same guy who suits up as Bruce Wayne. Bale's engergy is manic and ferocious and you can't take your eyes off him. As messed up and awful as Dicky becomes, you also can't help liking him, a feat very few actors could have pulled off, considering how vain and self-obsessed Dicky is. It's a astonishing performance.


As the domineering, chain-smoking mother, Melissa Leo actually made me forget her recent wince-inducing acceptance speeches. She is completely submerged in character here. Which does Alice Ward have more of, character flaws or Carmella Soprano pant-suits?


The movie features a jaw-dropping display of late-eighties early-nineties costume and production design. The stone-washed jeans and hair will blow your mind. But until you've spent time with Mickey and Dickey's sisters, a coven of stay-at-home-forever chainsmoking harridans, you ain't seen nothin' yet! The scenes with these ladies you will not soon forget.

You have to feel a little bad for Mark Wahlberg. He carries this picture. He's in nearly every scene and it's a tremendously physical, vulnerable role. Plus, he produced the movie (Darren Aronofsky exec produced). But nearly all the acting laurels for The Fighter went to Bale and Leo. Wahlberg does a really tremendous job here. I guess (for now) he'll have to content himself with being one of the most accomplished producers in the business today (along with Boardwalk Empire and In Treatment). Amy Adams also does a great job here, rising to hold her own against Leo and her brood.

No doubt about it, The Fighter delivers a fascinating true story and characters you continually give a damn about. Russell keeps the punches coming and never slips on the canvas.