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EXCLUSIVE: Paramount has issued a featurette on director the David O. Russell-directed The Fighter, a film that is developing momentum that might give it more than a puncher’s chance in awards season.
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I’m having fun with you Mike.
But really? “Puncher’s chance?” Really?
“It could TKO the awards season.”
” Hopefully the Academy becomes punch drunk, watching it.”
“A Fighting Chance.”
“Showing they have artistry in their corner.”
“It’s a bantam weight short.”
Before voting for The Fighter for anything, stop and consider Mark Wahlberg’s past. Call me unforgiving, but I do begrudge him his previous actions because they were so heinous. What kind of hypocritic industry condemns a drinker with a big mouth (Mel Gibson) and basically blackballs a young lady with moral compass issues but who doesn’t hurt anyone but herself (Lindsay Lohan) yet urges its own to celebrate someone like Wahlberg? Mel & Lindsay hurt themselves; Wahlberg hurt someone else. Huge difference. Sometimes I’m disgusted to work in in this town. I won’t be celebrating Wahlberg. Matter of fact, I have not paid to see any of his work, and that dates back to when he was with the Funky Bunch.
LOL – what the hell did Mark Wahlberg do? Besides kick ass in the fighter, that is.
Wahlberg was good in this flick, but Adams and Bale were great. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see both Amy Adams and Christian Bale get Best Supporting Actor nominations – each of them transcended a merely decent story by completely imersing themselves into their respective characters and thankfully, the required skills were ready in waiting to showcase their interpretations of these two individuals.
This is what acting is supposed to look like.
- BestActor.TV
“I’m disgusted to work in in this town.”
Then leave whiney!! I live in the other part of this planet and I am dying to work there. Switch places!
You sound like you work in hell. Sick and tired of losers like you.
Candice…Google this. Mark Wahlberg blinded a man in a racially motivated attack in Boston when he was 18. Cruel and Heinous. He hides it well but his donkey Eric Weinstein acts the same way today.
Oh silly ole me…. I clicked on this link because I thought it would offer some insight into how The Fighter’s crappy script was jerry-rigged and soldered together into a cinematic and overblown “little train that could” win an Oscar …. or Oscars.
Fat chance. This “featurette” is just more media hype surrounding a movie that is more hype (all the TV shows and news articles it has garnered is embarrassingly over the top) than substance.
I think it was Kurosawa who said: “With a good script a good director can produce a masterpiece. With the same script a mediocre director can make it passable … but with a bad script even a good director can’t possibly make a good film.”
David Russell is a solid director. He hit the Powerball lottery with the actors — Christian Bale and Amy Adams but not Mark Wahlberg– in The Fighter. So two-thirds of the movie’s main ingredients delivered. The part that didn’t? The script.
The Fighter’s script was a solid “C” effort that could have been a B, or even an A- if the second half of the Second Act and Third Act wasn’t such a damn mess of predictability, flatness and treacly cliche.
Not even a good director and fantastic actors/actresses like those in The Fighter can save the script at that point, though they ALMOST pulled it off, which is a testament to their stellar gifts. Truly.
Anyone know how the movie’s script got cobbled together? I’ve read it three times and it still leaves a bittersweet taste of writing that was a ‘lost opportunity’ to create unforgettably sublime art. Instead The Figher is forgettably satisfactory, a bland flavor-of-the-season, one-view wonder to be rented or re-watched in five years or so, if at all.
Too bad.
Dear Voting WGA Member – Predictable? It’s a true story lame brain. of course, it’s predictable. It wouldn’t be a story much less a movie if Micky Ward (SPOILER ALERT) lost the fight or if anything other than what is shown onscreen happened.
“forgettably satisfactory?” “one view wonder?!?” Sorry mate, me and at least two dozen friends of mine have seen the movie in the theater more than once since it came out. Personally my only hope is that the movie studio sends DVDs to all of SAG so that we can see it again like they did for those lucky bastards on the nominating committee (why am I never on that by the way??? who do ya gotta sleep with to get on that lucky committee?).
The Fighter is raw, real and wholly UNforgettable – it’s an inspiring story that I’m glad someone told. And, even as an actor, I can say that big props have to go to the director AND the writer.
I may not have an Academy Awards ballot but I do have a SAG one, and the fighter is top of my list.
Hey Voting SAG member — no need to call people names (“lame brain”?) What are we in, third grade? If that is the best you can do — launching ad hominem attacks… um, you can look up that Latin phrase if you don’t have a clue — your argumentation cannot possibly rise above sewer flotsam.
As I was saying in the previous post here, The Fighter is wholly predictable. The fact that it is based on a true story doesn’t change the beats of good story. I can point to dozens of movies based on real, not ubiquitously known people — A Beautiful Mind, The Hurricane, Remember The Titans, Erin Brockovich, Charlie Wilson’s War — that have predictable elements told in — here’s the key! — unpredictable ways to make the overall story riveting, non-cliched and, ultimately, MEMORABLE.
The Fighter lacks (pardon the pun) the punch of these other films, and that’s not because of the acting. As I pointed out, Amy Adams and Christian Bale pulled exceptional “thesp” duty here. The rest of the cast? Ho-hum, especially Wahlberg who could use acting lessons to polish his natural onscreen charisma/ likeableness.
The fault lies with the writer. Well, actually WRITERS– you were incorrect to suggest there was just one cook in this messy kitchen. The Fighter had FOUR writers: Scott Silver, who specializes in breathless stories of blue-collar guys who have to struggle to rise (Eight Mile); Paul Tamasy, best known for the sequel classics, Air Bud and Air Bud:Golden Retriever; Eric Johnson, who gets his first writing credit on The Fighter; Keith Dorrington, who wrote the 2007 film, The Merger, gets a story credit here.
Looking at this many cooks leads to one conclusion: cluster f*ck! (And you can tell because The Fighter is tonally off, smooth in some places, illogical in others, treacly in some parts, while solid in others, and paint-by-numbers predictable throughout!) It reads (on paper) and views (on the Big Screen) like a movie clumped-and-humped together by committee. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with committee IF the writing is stellar. Here the writing is, to be kind, lustrously mediocre.
Director Russell and Adams and Bale almost save the movie through sheer talent; the script lets them down — and will hurt The Fighter come Oscar time. Many a time a Best Movie nom also is represented in Best Screenplay categories (think 2009, when the best picture nominees Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk, and Slumdog were ALL represented as writing nominees.)
The Fighter’s script was underwhelming, so it shouldn’t get nominated. Where the film shines is in acting (Adams/Bale) and arguably in directing (Russell) and they should get recognized in those categories.
2010′s best picture winner will without a doubt have an outstanding script that has been executed to perfection. That means only one of three films: The King’s Speech; The Social Network; True Grit.
I’d take this prediction to Vegas, but hey, whadda I know? I’m just a writer.
There were even more writers brought on who didn’t get credit–including Paul Attanasio. At one point, the IMDb had seven credited writers. Also, I agree with every single thing you said.
Dear Sr,
You know a lot of big words! I only have a B.A. in Theater Arts so it’s unlikely I can keep up with your oratory fireworks. The bottom line is this — I love the movie and I know a lot of actors that feel the same. We feel it’s best ensemble and best picture material all the way. I’ve read numerous times that actors are the biggest branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. If me or my friends are an indication of how actors are responding to this film, then I think it will do quite well at the SAG Awards and the Oscars. Frankly, I felt the story was a strong point and enjoyed very much the way it was told, so I’m betting the WGA nominates it as well, as will the Oscars. You may have some kind of perspective due to your experience as a writer that makes you feel otherwise, but audiences don’t seem to be noticing all the weaknesses you seem to feel are so obvious.
As for your hypothesis that The Social Network, The King’s Speech or True Grit will win the Oscar: Maybe The King’s Speech – definitely an enjoyable and inspiring movie based on true facts, has heart and warmth and a talented cast. True Grit? The Social Network? I am not oblivious to the fact that they are very much in the conversation, but I cannot think of two films that left me so cold in quite awhile.
I have to agree with SAG member, I thought the script was great. Although the script took predictable turns genre-wise, the movie never felt as though it wouldn’t go down this path because the characters were so dangerous and raw. I actually think one of the best things in this movie was the score, it never once telegraphed where the scene was going. I was genuinely surprised by the end.
Have to say that after reading and re-reading The Fighter script I was filled with ennui and a unremitting sense that this is what mediocrity looks like writ large upon the page. I had just read The King’s Speech and there is no way in hell the two can even be compared. The King’s Speech was exponentially more deft in terms of technique, characterization, powerful subtlety, uplift, language and, yes, grammar. The Fighter was, charitably speaking, a hot mess. Alas, the script is but one component of film. I hope The Fighter does well in the categories where it shines (acting, for one) but should it get awarded for Best Screenplay (or even considered) writers everywhere should chuck their laptops into the sea, for it would be that much of a travesty. Pedestrian writing should not be showered with uncommon praise. The Fighter is as pedestrian as Hollywood writing comes.
I’ve hear some great stories about D.O. Russell. Stories that include him crying and surfing the web for porn during studio meetings…sweet!
By far the best movie of the year and besides that f-n awesome cast, you have to give this director credit for making a fight film about so much more. For my money, this is the one film I’ve seen that I would happily see again and again.
Please stop trying to make The Fighter happen. It’s not that good of a movie.
Two, can Hollywood stop trying to glorify lower middle-class Massachusetts? We get it. We all liked Good Will Hunting.
It’s ironic that Hollywood preaches tolerance and bleeding heart values. Ironic, because all of the people glorified in The Town, Southie, and The Fighter pretty much HATE gays, minorities and anything that’s not on Fox News.
Your comment not so subtly suggests that the fine folks from lower-middle class Mass areas all hate gays, minorities and love everything on Fox News. I happen to be from the area (and I’m gay! and people love me!), and you couldn’t be more mistaken. You’ve made a massive generalization here and one that is not fair in the slightest. Just like anywhere else, there’s good folks and bad folks. One thing most of them have in common is this: We are a colorful lot! It’s no wonder Hollywood keeps making movies about us.
“Please stop trying to make The Fighter happen. It’s not that good of a movie.”
Perfectly said. No matter how much pr gets poured into this, at the end of the day it’s great performances in a mediocre movie.
I think a film should speak for itself. But after watching this, I realize that marketing budgets and PR campaigns determine the winners during awards season, not the work standing on its own. To be fair, every film should get a two minute piece to tell its behind-the-scenes story, or none at all.
My favorite movie of the year. It may not have done anything new or revolutionary, but sometimes execution is everything. I’m rooting for it to get some Oscar love.
Here’s hoping the word-of-mouth will translate into good legs at the B.O. too.
Looks like O’Russell has mellowed out. The Fighter is a really good movie. Hope Bale gets a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.
Yeah – totally looks like he’s matured as a man and as a director. His voice is soft – he speaks simply and eloquently. Sort of like the movie – straight forward. though it’s a straight forward tale, it moved me deeply. Can’t seem to get it out of my mind. It really made me feel good and, to me, that’s what movies are all about.
the flick’s about the comeback of mickie ward – kind of ironic that it’s ended up to be the comeback of david russell. I remember when I saw spanking the monkey at sundance and thought this filmmaker was going to go places. and flirting with disaster was awesome. then three kings blew my mind. I wasn’t so high on i love huckabees but still respected it, and then it felt like he just disappeared. obviously the guy is baaaa-aack.
pr flack anyone? russells getting nuthin for this.
Personally, I think this movie deserves every bit of attention its getting. It’s definitely the best acting I’ve been in a movie this year. The story is compelling and worthy of telling and, yes, this director pulled it all together beautifully. “THE FIGHTER” gets my vote.
Are you kidding, Arika? In his illustrious 25 year career, this guy has directed a total of only 7 full length films (including one documentary), and one of the films was so bad that it was never finished or released despite being 95% completed (had it been half way decent another financier would have paid to have it finished, so don’t blame the lack of financing). He is very far from a box office sensation. And ask anyone involved in his one commercial success, and they will tell you it was the stellar cast of Three Kings that made it was it was, despite “O’Russell’s” temper tantrums and fighting on the set. (He did co-write a decent script, however).
Arika, “this guy is baaa-aak”? He was never “there.” Why did he disappear? Because he is a B- talent and an F- human being. He should crawl back into the cesspool from whence he came.
“O’Russell” is a complete low life, physically fighting with one actor on set; having a complete melt down and screaming at Lily Tomlim over and over again, who was 65 years old at the time for God’s sake (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMVILMo1Cq0); having actors quit in the middle of films he was directing; and the list goes on and on. And that is just on set. The stories of his off set behavior make his on set activities look like those of a choir boy. To the extent people know him, he is one of the most disliked people in Hollywood,and rightfully so. Only in Hollywood can such bad behavior be tolerated.
Nikki/Michael, why do you continually try to promote this piece of human trash? You should be well above that.
As far as the film, it was a good solid B+ effort in a year with not many good films. It was also an A+ marketing/Oscar effort by the studio. If it receives any awards other than for the top notch acting, this industry will have finally reached rock bottom. As with Three Kings, the fact that The Fighter turned out pretty good is the result of a terrific cast (one of whom lived this film for a decade), not “O’Russell”.
.
Very, very well put. A horrible human being who got lucky with a great cast.
Boy are they working overtime to campaign for a movie that is average at best. Christian Bale and Melissa Leo were great in the movie (Though someone should have told Ms. Leo that a Mass accent is not the same as a New York accent.)
But the rest of the movie?? Who cares? where’s the drama? where’s the conflict. The whole thing was more of a New England cliche showcase than a real story that anyone should care about. And when we’re talking about the umpteenth boxing movie ever made, either do something different or don’t do anything at all. But I guess with 10 best picture slots, now anyone can get in.
As phony as the phony sweat stains on the clothes. In. Like. Every. Scene. Perfect circles. Ha ha!
Oh thank GOD I thought I was the only person who found this movie mediocre and predictable!! It’s clear Paramount had nothing else to push, having not even seen True Grit until December, and tried to make this a winner. The actors are great and deserve the attention, but the script and direction and everything else are just okay.
god said it best in above post. Please stop trying to make this happen.
“Clear Paramount had nothing to push having not seen True Grit yet.” Are you nuts? If I saw Fighter and True Grit back to back, I would have doubled down on the fighter and folded true grit! the most boring film I’ve seen this year, bar none. the fact that paramount has parlayed that boring piece of nothing into as much money as they have is in a word – amazing. then again, they did it for GI Joe and Paranormal Activity 2 too, so they’re good at getting audiences to plunk down good money to see boring tripe. They hit the mother load with the fighter and are right to put the muscle behind it they have.
i thought the film was well directed and applaud DOR for his comeback.