The Fighter.
Now, I've always been a sucker for a good sports flick but this is so much more than that, highlighting more closely the battles that a fighter has off the canvas floor, struggling to cope with family, friends and ultimately loyalty. What could have been a generic, run-of-the-mill storyline is elevated to something very special because of the vitality of it's direction, superb performances from everyone involved and a freshness and realism that probably stems from the fact that's it's based on a true story.
I cannot recommend this film enough, and it's not just because I'm a huge fan of David O'Russells films. It's actually quite a departure for the man himself since his usual style of filmmaking is highly stylised and idiosyncratic - this one is more about emotion and ensemble acting, but O Russell breathes so much life into what could have been a formulaic, Rocky style wannabe.
I've never been a huge fan of Wahlberg but O Russell seems to always get the best out of him, and here we see him quietly anchoring the film. It could be down to the fact that he had always been wanting to tell this story and it's based in an area close to where he grew up, but yeah, here's a limited enough actor who always has had a likeability on screen.... basically a star and he's very good in it.
But if we're going to talk about masterclasses in acting I have to mention Christian Bale, who is absolutely stunning in the part of Wahlberg's brother, and I'll be shocked if he doesn't walk away with Best Supporting Actor at the next Oscars. I've never liked him as a person : he's the polar opposite to Wahlberg, a colder and more unfriendly presence on the screen, but what an actor. The contrast between the two is wonderful to watch.
So basically yeah, I loved it. It's probably down to emotional investment in the characters and I was there from the start.