Really good sports dramas are hard to come by these days. If you ask me, the last great sports drama to hit the big screen was Cinderella Man and that was six years ago (keep in mind I haven’t seen The Blind Side yet). Now is the time that fans of the genre can rejoice because Gavin O’Connor’s (Miracle) latest sports endeavor, Warrior, will knock you right off your feet.
Warrior tells the story of two estranged brothers who enter a MMA tournament called Sparta, a five million dollar winner-takes-all event. Tom Hardy plays Tommy Conlon, a teenage wrestling protégé who left his family 14 years ago, joined the Marines, and is now back to train with his father, played by Nick Nolte. Tommy despises his former alcoholic father and is strictly entering his life again to use him for training purposes. Tommy’s brother Brendan Conlon, played by Joel Edgerton, is a former MMA fighter turned physics teacher but when the bank threatens to foreclose his home, Brendan enters the ring again in an attempt to win the prize money and save his family and home. Eventually the two brothers meet in the octagon for the rousing climatic battle where differences must be put aside as one fights for his country and the other fights for his family.
First off, let me state that this is one of the best movies I’ve seen all year. It has some of the most powerful performances I’ve seen on screen with the addition of extremely captivating action scenes, being perfectly paced and, on the whole, really well told. What makes Warrior such a great film is that it constantly adds complicated and detailed emotional layers that continually build upon each other which, in the end, makes it difficult for you to decide where to place you sympathy. While choosing sides may be difficult, on a grander scale this film can resonate deeply with an audience and can easily win them over after the first 20 minutes of its 139 minute duration.
The most notable aspect of the film has to be the performances by Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte, Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Morrison, who plays Tess Conlon, Brendan’s wife. Tom Hardy plays the dark horse fighter who doesn’t say much when it comes to words but his expressions and presence make him the most powerful force in the film. He plays an angry and emotionally stonewalled asshole that can’t seem to find it in his heart to forgive those who love him, which ends up being one of the main struggles we see Hardy expertly and intensely deliver as Tommy.
Nick Nolte was a big surprise for me. It has been a long time since we’ve seen him in any significant role on the big screen and I know he’s a quality actor but it almost felt as if he put a lot of his personal problems into this role and made Paddy really come to life, that’s how commanding he was. His role throughout the entire film was basically one attempt after another of reconciling his troubled past with both of his sons who equally hate him. The man was 1000 days sober and cleaned his life up but unfortunately neither son would accept it which left him as a sad and lonely father/grandfather. Unlike many performances you’ll see this year, Nick Nolte’s will certainly move you but the question is, how much sympathy will you actually have for his character?
I though Joel Edgerton did a great job as well as the technical underdog vs. the brute force fighter that Tommy was. As a physics teacher and family man, Joel had to make Brendan’s character likable, relatable, and most of all normal, which he was able to pull off with ease. While I think he had one of the easier roles in the film, I do believe that he gives a captivating performance that made you want to constantly cheer him on. Lastly, I thought Jennifer Morrison nailed her role as the devoted nervous wreck wife. Her part wasn’t large but it was an important piece of the puzzle when it came to telling Brendan’s side of the story.
Another aspect that I think audience goers will appreciate and actually pick up on is the contrast in lighting (which I don’t usually talk about). Everyone knows that Tommy has a dark past and outlook on life while Brendan is mostly happy living with his beautiful family. As we go back and forth between the lives of the two brothers you’ll notice the lighting change dramatically from the grungy dark lighting with Tommy to the vibrant and cheery colors used when we focus on Brendan. I like this move a lot because I think it makes it easier for you to understand the vast differences in personality and current life situation of the two main characters and also how Nick Nolte’s character, Paddy, can cross the color threshold.
Even though the MMA tournament is a backdrop to highlight the family turmoil, the fighting scenes are still the most exciting parts of the movie. Tom Hardy looks even bigger than he was in Bronson and walks just like Bane in the trailer for The Dark Knight Rises. I mean this guy’s traps were effin huge and he is just a complete badass!
Every time he steps in the ring you know exactly what is going to happen yet you tense up and wonder how he will finish the fight. When Joel steps in the ring you know he is going to go through hell. He is a technical fighter and takes advantage of peoples’ mistakes. It’s during his fights where you start shaking with trepidation and then cheer in relief when you see things start going his way. I’d suggest monitoring your heart during the fight scenes just to see how much this movie gets your blood pumping. I know I went to the gym immediately after and ran for four miles just to calm myself down. This will be one of those movies you’ll watch the night before you have a sporting event just to get you focused.
Gavin O’Connor knows how to make a sports drama and Warrior is probably his finest work that I’ve seen to date. Even if certain plot points leave you questioning the film, the performances, story and action sequences alone will be enough to make you want to go back and see it again. And while there may not be any seemingly iconic moments like Rocky, I do believe it will be a sports film that will stand the test of time, the most important goal a film can achieve. In the end, Warrior is a heart pounding rollercoaster ride that is undeniably worth seeing in theaters.
Rating: An emotionally rousing sports drama that packs both a strong emotional punch as it does a physical one (9/10)
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