Finally: A public audience has seen The Fighter, David O. Russell's film about Boston boxer Mickey Ward and the troubled family in his orbit. The movie debuted Tuesday night in Hollywood as AFI Fest's annual "secret screening," and as presumed, immediate responses on Twitter have placed it squarely in the thick of all things Oscar. Even the haters couldn't help but draw parallels. Read on for a sampling.
First, the good:
@toolizzit2quit: just watched "The Fighter". Christian Bale WILL win the Oscar next year. I call it second. @reverseDERF was 1st
@firstshowing: Boxing movies are always badass. The Fighter was great, liked it a lot. Christian Bale better win Oscar.
@carsonpatrick: The Fighter is an insanely good movie.
@geoffberkshire: So much for David O. Russell making a "traditional" drama. The Fighter is something much better than that. Bold, excellent work
@muthmedia: THE FIGHTER was spectacular. Wahlberg was Wahlberg; Bale was amazing. The story bobbed/weaved (heh), but I really enjoyed it. @AFIFEST
@YRFilms: The Fighter is rock solid. One of the best boxing films, definitely the most realistic. Great performances by Bale, Wahlberg, Leo and Adams.
@cowboytrey: The Fighter is porbably Christian Bale's movie. Mark Wahlberg is a symbol that other more fleshed out characters fight over. Still, good.
Annnnnd the not-so-good:
@theworriedshoes: THE FIGHTER is awfully familiar stuff. Russell gets some good things in around the margins, and the cast is good, but I didn't care.
@JordanCronk: THE FIGHTER (Russell; 2010): Tired, cliched, faux-triumphant. Pretty sure RAGING BULL'S place in the canon is secure. #AFIFEST
@LivingInCinema: Wow, lots of enthusiasm for THE FIGHTER. Did I see a different movie?
@s_oldham: The Fighter is all about the Wards, not the boxing. Surprisingly, the fights are the weakest parts of the film
@AndrewDignan: The Fighter (10 Russell B-) Ungainly and broadly executed (at times it plays like a white trash version of Precious)
@Andrew Dignan: But the people championing Melissa Leo for an Oscar nomination... can you please stop doing that. It's embarrassing for everyone.
As for the last one... no. Everything pretty much jibes with what Movieline's Oscar sources have been whispering... Viva le chowderhead vérité!
[via The Lost Boy]