Movie Review Rewind: Warrior (2011)

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Warrior is a family drama that packs a punch—figuratively and literally. While it follows the same formula as other fight movies, this one contains outstanding performances, a story that is gripping and emotional, and the actual fighting is exciting and tense. And going by the previews, you already know the two brothers meet in the cage, and it is possible you may guess who wins. But no matter what the outcome may be, there is a story to tell in that ring and the brothers tell it by using their fists. The only way they know how.

Tommy (Tom Hardy) and Brendan (Joel Edgerton) Conlon are brothers who have not seen each other in over a decade. Their father (Nick Nolte) battled with alcoholism and their mother left with Brendan while Tommy stayed with his father. The two brothers were driven apart by their broken family. Now fast forward 14 years with Tommy coming back home to Pittsburgh after being in the Marines and needs his father to become his trainer once again in order to get ready for SPARTA, a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) tournament where the winner receives the biggest pay-day in history.

His brother Brendan has a wife and kid and has put his fighting days behind him. He is now a public school teacher trying to make ends meet. Unfortunately, his day job isn’t cutting it. So, in order to provide for his family, he has no choice but to return to the ring. Both brothers are fighting for someone besides themselves, and we all know they are on a collision course to meet inside the cage. They will have to finally confront each other about their past and there can only be one winner.

There is no mistake that Warrior will be compared to last year’s The Fighter. I am not saying it’s right, but it is going to happen. And it is not fair to this film because besides two brothers who fight, these two sports films are completely different and Warrior hits every mark it needs to and does so with a lot of force behind it. Director Gavin O’Connor (Miracle, Pride and Glory) makes the characters in his film identifiable which causes the audience to invest their time and energy in to caring about them. You find yourself rooting for both brothers because you know their story and respect their fighting spirit.

O’Connor did a terrific job by getting Hardy, Edgerton, and Nolte to be a part of his film. This is a real showcase for Hardy and Edgerton. Their performances are riveting and powerful. Tommy suffers from the past and uses that to knock out every opponent he comes in to contact with. He will let no one stand in his way. Yet Brendan does not come from a place of anger and hate, but from a place of desperation. If he does not win, his family will lose their home and they will be out on the streets. These two men have been carrying a ton on their backs for a lot of years and it is about to bring them to their knees. It is one hell of a showdown between the two.

This film definitely puts the focus on the up-and-coming Edgerton and Hardy, and no one should disagree with that decision. However, Nolte really delivers a standout performance as their father who is battling with alcoholism and himself. He is suffering and is trying to make things right with his two sons before it’s too late. He lives in regret and so desperately seeks forgiveness. It is Hardy and Edgerton’s time to shine, but do not dismiss Nolte’s heartbreaking, tremendously raw performance.

O’Connor has given the fight movies a fresh new voice. The film has a story that is able to connect with people on several different levels, and the three main performances are excellent. Warrior is a fight that you cannot miss.

Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.

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