Warrior Review

“Warrior”
Release Date: September 9th, 2011
Directed by: Gavin O’Connor
Screenplay by: Gavin O'Connor, Anthony Tambakis, and Cliff Dorfman
Rated: PG-13 for sequences of intense mixed martial arts fighting, some language and thematic material

The summer movie season provided us with a copious amount of misfires and to no surprise, found itself badly straggling to the finish line. Thankfully, we can move on since the fall movie season is now upon us. With that said, I have the sheer gratification of telling you that “Warrior” starring Joel Edgerton, Tom Hardy and Nick Nolte is one knockout of a movie. In vein of last year’s powerful film, “The Fighter”, “Warrior” is about two brothers both fighting for something greater than themselves. Tom Hardy brilliantly portrays Tommy Riordan, an ex-Marine haunted by his past who returns home to his former alcoholic father, played by a battered and wounded Nick Nolte. Joel Edgerton takes on the persona of Brendan Conlon, a high school physics teacher and ex-MMA fighter unable to make ends meet. In a turn of events, Tommy asks his estranged father to train him to fight once again. Brendan, unbeknownst to this, finds himself competing in amateur MMA fights to help out at home. Alienated from one another for 16 years, the brothers’ paths will soon cross as they face off in Sparta, a Grand Prix tournament of MMA fights. While the set-up may be dauntingly cliché, director Gavin O’Connor somehow is able to throw punch after punch at your vulnerable heart in what is the most unrelentingly impassioned packed film this year.

For starters, “Warrior” is part gritty family drama, part sports action flick, and part feel-good crowd pleaser. Translation? Raw, gut-wrenching, and compelling. The acting is never less than absolutely stellar. Joel Edgerton plays Brendan, the typical underdog persona, with such heart and compassion. With his house seeing foreclosure and medical bills for one of his daughters with a defected heart adding up, it’s difficult not to show rooting interest for this guy. Tom Hardy’s character, Tommy, on the other hand, has many complexities and an aura of mystery surrounding him. He’s not entirely psychologically stable because of what haunts him from his days in Iraq and his devastatingly strained relationship with his father. Hardy is nothing short of brilliant as an ex-marine with a lot of built up agony and pain to release. Easily the breakout star of “Warrior”, Hardy’s utterly sublime representation really pulls you in. Anchored by a subtle, electrifying and haunting performance, Hardy should be recognized during award season. Furthermore, his scenes with his Nick Nolte were as heartrending and distressing as they come by. The dynamic of their shattered relationship felt honest, real, and unfeigned. Nolte as a recovering alcoholic, who listens to self-help audiotapes, really nails it here. He’s a lost and fractured soul trying to reconnect with his sons, who don’t seem to want to give in. While the MMA fight sequences are exhilarating and super-charged, it’s the chemistry between Nolte and Hardy on screen that’s absolutely remarkable and really drives the movie into the territory of absolute greatness.

Well over two hours, “Warrior” never eases up in toying with one’s emotions. It does an outstanding job continually pulling at the strings of one’s own heart. If you surrender to its tricks, you may find yourself tearing up in multiple scenes. “Warrior” definitely ranks up there with ultimate guy-cry movies. By the end of the movie, you’ll not only find yourself on the edge of your seat, but also wiping those tears away and rooting for these guys as if they were your own brothers. The ending may not be what you completely expected, but it seems appropriate and realistic. Never does “Warrior” seem false or manipulative in the earnest ways it touches your heart, mind, and soul. This movie just feels right in this day and age. The constant struggle of overcoming the odds and believing in one’s self despite any obstructions in your line of sight. It’s a stunning achievement that a mainstream movie like this packs so much pure entertainment, affecting moments and uncompromised compassion. “Warrior” excels on nearly all levels making it a definite must-see for all ages.

Grade: 4.5 out of 5

Published on September 10th, 2011 by Mountain Views News
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n37/p11.htm