The Fighter

Director David O. Russell returns after a long hiatus and reunites for the third time with Mark Wahlberg who also produced the film. The true story of two brothers, one a former boxer and drug addict and the other a potential champion whose toxic relationship with his family that could derail his chances. Russell takes on a successful formula that has been done well before but manages to deliver by making it more real and gritty with powerful performances at the core. While Wahlberg is solid at the center with a visceral and subtle performance, he's surrounded by a trio of characters that are more flashy but also tricky if it weren't for the performances by Christian Bale, Melissa Leo and Amy Adams that ultimately makes the film. Bale went through a complete transformation that's pays off well that's his best yet. YRCinema's coverage of the AFI Fest.