Warrior (2011)
Certified: 14
Duration: 140 minutes
Directed by: Gavin O’Connor
Starring: Joel Edgerton, Tom Hardy, Jennifer Morrison, Frank Grillo, Nick Nolte, Kurt Angle, Jake McLaughlin, Fernando Chien, Noah Emmerich, Kevin Dunn, Denzel Whitaker
KRS release
Warrior has several things going for it that elevate it above the “fighting” storyline: Great family drama, an incredible Nick Nolte and plenty of heart-warming moments balanced out with visceral bone-crunching fisticuffs. Another interesting aspect of the film is the mixed martial arts fighting style which is not common for a Hollywood film. It showcases both its tactical aspect as well as its darker and more gut-wrenching moments. All in all, the film benefits a lot from the recent The Fighter in the way it handles its subject matter and will bring the audience close to the action.
Brothers Tommy Reardon (Tom Hardy) and Brendan Conlon (Joel Edgerton) are estranged brothers who have been through a lot in their lives. Their father Paddy (Nick Nolte) had alcohol problems which led to the break-up of the family.
Tommy had gone to live with his mother while Brendan wanted to be with his girlfriend Tess (Jennifer Morrison). After serving in the Marines, Tommy returns to his father. He wants him to train him for a mixed martial arts event so that he could take the huge prize money.
For Paddy this is a chance to redeem himself. For Tommy this is simply a matter of money. On the other side, Brendan’s life has not turned out all so sugary sweet. He is now married, teaches physics in high school and has a never-ending list of bills to pay. This leads him to enter into bouts of illegal fights of mixed martial arts. But the bruises and scarring gets him into trouble with the school authorities.
In need of cash, he enters the same mixed martial arts competition as his brother. The two will fight strong odds, have to survive each round to finally confront each other, when not only muscles may be damaged but also the little that is left of their relationship.
In such a film as Warrior there is always the risk of the fight scenes winning out over the plot. Thankfully this never happens as Gavin O’Connor’s direction is poised, he mixes his handheld camera steadily and shows a keen sense of story development balanced with style and inspirational visual imagery.
While from the start of the film, we realise that the brothers will end up facing each other, this never detracts from the film’s enjoyment. It also tears the audience apart as none of the brothers is actually a bad guy.
Nick Nolte once again delivers a powerhouse performance. We sympathise with him as the father who has ruined his connection with his children and is now trying to mend bridges. He carries the emotional guilt of a past gone wrong while Tom Hardy brings to the forefront an emotional vacuum that is part of the film’s overall feel. Joel Edgerton delivers a strong performance as does Jennifer Morrison. They give an added dimension of reality to the film. At the centre of the film, however, is the father- sons’ relationship which is scarred and emotionally battered.
Warrior has all the ingredients to be a crowd pleaser and can deliver a message or two. The film’s viewpoint is intimate as it propels us up close and personal to both the fights and the emotional battles. Warrior is definitely worth seeing and do not be surprised that an Oscar nomination comes Nick Nolte’s way.