Whether you subscribe to the auteur theory or not, there's no denying that directors are important people in determining whether a film turns out well or not. And so we turn our attention today to the Best Direction category at this year's Oscars: which of the five nominees is looking strongest? Who's got what it takes to waltz off with the prize? And who had better prepare their resigned face? We examine the arguments for and against each of the final five...
Why He Will Win
](http://empireonline.media/jpg/50/0/0/640/480/aspectfit/0/0/0/0/0/0/l/uploaded/oscarbulletgreen.gif)The Fighter is a brilliantly modernised twist on a very traditional film subject - boxing - which has proved something of an Oscar season dark horse so far.
](http://empireonline.media/jpg/50/0/0/640/480/aspectfit/0/0/0/0/0/0/l/uploaded/oscarbulletred.gif)While the film has received lots of love, Russell himself is yet to pick up any gongs - and the feeling seems to be that, while this is a shoo-in in the Supporting Acting categories, it's by no means as strong here.Will%20that%20history%20of%20violence%20(well,%20violent%20language?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Why He Will Win
](http://empireonline.media/jpg/50/0/0/640/480/aspectfit/0/0/0/0/0/0/l/uploaded/oscarbulletgreen.gif)He directed what is the clear frontrunner for the big prizes, and that puts him in a really good position for Best Director as well.This is only his second feature, after The Damned United, and it usually takes a little longer to be crowned Best Director. Especially when you're up against heavyweights like Fincher and the Coens.He's easily one of the best directors working in America today, and this is his most mainstream - and most Oscar-friendly - film to date. What's more, this isn't a film where the performances grab all the attention: the ensemble is great, but there's clearly a director at work.There's%20an%20argument%20(it's%20wrong,%20but%20it%20exists?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
](http://empireonline.media/jpg/50/0/0/640/480/aspectfit/0/0/0/0/0/0/l/uploaded/oscarbulletred.gif)He may still be a touch too radical for voters, what with that Trent Reznor score and subject matter that involves these computer things that the kids seem to be using all the time. iMail? Facebrick? Something like that. In other words, the characters aren't clear-cut, the finish a little too ambiguous, the setting too contemporary and the tone a little dark for the Oscars - maybe.The Brothers have form here: it's the third time they've been nominated for the prize, and they've already won it once for No Country For Old Men.They are not up for the Director's Guild Awards, which suggests that they're far from favourites in the category this year.Like Fincher, he's one of the unquestionably talented, undoubtedly talked-about directors coming up through the ranks of indie and cult hits into the Oscar mainstream - and like Fincher, he's beginning to look like he'll win one eventually. Why not now?So far the lion's share of the plaudits and attention has gone to his leading lady rather than her director.![