THE FIGHTER****

Historically Oscar's follow boxing movies and this years no exception. The Champ (31'), Rocky (76'), Raging Bull (80'), Ali (01'), and Million Dollar Baby (04') are just a few of the boxing movies that seemed to infatuate an audience and mesmerize the Oscar voters. Note to self: To win an Oscar, act or write a boxing movie.

It sounds easier said then done. However, with the recent success of boxing movies and the odds of winning an Oscar, let alone a plethora of nominations, it looks like The Fighter is another notch on Oscar's bedpost.

Of the group of boxing movies released in the last decade The Fighter definitely stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Set in the early 90's in Lowell, Massachusetts, The Fighter follows the relationship of brothers Mickey Ward (Mark Walhberg) and Dick "Dicky" Eklund(Christian Bale). Mickey is a successful boxer on the road to competing in his first world title and Dicky is a past successful boxer who is now training Mickey.

The film follows Mickey's struggles to be trained by his brother who is a drug addict and irresponsible to say the least. Also, their mother Alice (Melissa Leo), doesn't help the chaotic situation by trying to get Mickey on the right track to being the next big thing to come out of Lowell.

Mickey meets Charlene (Amy Adams), and his infatuation with her as well as his ability to separate himself from his family only causes more problems for what becomes of a very dysfunctional family.

The movie has Oscar written all over it. Though overall I wouldn't name it the best of the year, in the acting categories look for The Fighter to capture some well deserved nominations. First and foremost Melissa Leo is spot on as Alice. From the moment I fell in love with her in 2009's Frozen River (which she was nominated for), I couldn't take my eyes off her during this movie. For me, she made The Fighter a contender at this years awards. She transforms herself with ease into a dedicated, chain smoking, and loose-mouthed mother.

Christain Bale is phenomenal as Dicky. The weight loss makes him almost unrecognizable, and his ability to take the audience into his drug addiction with such vulnerability is something only a great actor can do. His performance definitely outshines Mark Walberg's, which is not an easy thing to do. Though his performance was good in this movie, to say it was great would be overstatement. I'm sure he'll walk away with a nomination in the best actor category, though what should have been Mark's movie ended up becoming Christian's.

Amy Adams is surprisingly proficient as Mickey's love interest. I've never been the biggest fan of Amy's movie choices, but the way she plays Charlene will definitely become a highlight of her career. She play's the role in a very Tonya Harding-like resemblance, even down to the god-awful 90's permed hair.

If The Fighter can keep its momentum for the next month, it has a great chance at being tough competition in the best picture category. Like I said, it's not the best film of the year, but definitely has one of the best ensembles.