Rating: AAA*
Directed by Gavin O’Connor, Warrior is the story of two brothers – Brandon & Tommy (Joel Edgerton & Tom Hardy) – amateur MMA fighters who are still trying to deal with the emotional scars from growing up with an abusive and alcoholic dad (Nick Nolte). Brandon is forced back into the cage because he’s about to lose his home where he, his wife (Jennifer Morrison) and two daughters live. Tommy has just returned from a mission in Iraq (he’s a Marine); has lost a friend and has promised to take care of his friend’s widow and children. Tommy needs a trainer and is forced to ask his father, Paddy Conlon, to help him train for a major battle (Sparta) in order to win five million dollars. Of course, Brandon finds out about the Sparta battle and decides he, too, must fight in it. Without giving anything away, you will certainly see the brothers fight each other at Sparta.
This is what you need to know about the plot. The brothers’ stories are told somewhat independently of each other except for the second half of the film, where they are forced to meet again and confront each other and their father in their own way. Nolte is great as the now, recovered alcoholic Paddy. Hardy plays the explosive son; it’s hard for him not to given that he had to care for his dying mother then joining the Marines. Edgerton is believable, to a point, as a physics teacher struggling to keep his family afloat after having paid medical bills for his daughter’s heart condition. The Conlon men are all trying to survive; that’s for sure.
Like others who’ve seen the film, I’d have to agree that this is more than just a “fight” film. However, I will agree with Rogert Ebert in that it can be rather Rocky-like at times. We all root for the good guy and want him to win and in Warrior, we want both Conlon brothers to win. Like Rocky, they both have anger and deep sadness within them. And like Rocky, we expect them to somehow deal with these issues inside the cage or out. Part of the fighting scenes are also reminiscent of this year’s documentary Fightville; showcasing UFC’s Dustin Poirier and his trainer Tim Credeur – two very solid guys who also juggle MMA fighting and families.
At times feeling a little too cliché and at others a bit forced, Warrior still delivers in the realm of action and drama. The film is over two hours but it does not feel long. Fans of MMA and general drama/action film fans will enjoy the film.
*Ratings out of AAAAA.