2. Micky Ward - The Fighter
Wahlberg's third and most recent collaboration with David O'Russell proved to be their most fruitful yet, and though it didn't quite garner the actor the Academy Award for Best Actor nomination many had been anticipating, it did nevertheless continue to enhance his profile as a serious actor, while the film itself did get nominated for Best Picture among countless other honours. It goes to show how much passion matters to a film, because Wahlberg had been invested in the story of Micky Ward for years, and in 2010, he finally got to tell the tale, after training for it for roughly four years. Again, not only does Wahlberg live up to the physical demands of the role - he looks like an absolute natural in the ring - but he helps craft a vulnerable portrait of an admirable, sympathetic figure who you want to root for. Essentially, he helps turn potentially generic, syrupy inspirational fare into something a whole lot more enjoyable and heartfelt.