Warrior!!!

‘Warrior’ stars Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton and Nick Nolte and is directed by Gavin O’Connor. The film centers on two brothers both living in horrible financial situations and have no other way to gain cash fast other than to resort to fighting in a mixed martial arts tournament. The tournament grants the winner five million dollars. Tom Hardy who portrays Tommy Conlon is an ex-Marine trying to win money for his best friend in the Marines wife. His best friend unfortunately dies and doesn’t leave much to his wife, causing Tommy to fight for a 5 million dollar victory. Joel Edgerton portrays Brendan Conlon, Tommy’s brother who is married with children and is a high school biology teacher. After the bank discloses to Brendan that if he can’t come up with money fast, he will have to forfeit his home; Brendan decides he will also have to fight for a 5 million dollar victory.

The film started off beautifully. It was enticing and intriguing. It delved into Brendan’s story greatly, which created the audience to truly empathize with his character’s life than that of his brother Tommy’s. Unfortunately, Tommy’s story was slighted because it was told sporadically throughout the film in tiny pieces. Honestly, his story didn’t even make sense. Supposedly, he was in Iraq and a situation occurred where everyone died but him, but he was out for arrest, and in order to protect his word to his friend’s widow he started going by his mother’s maiden name to prevent the cops from searching for him that way he could still fight for the money. 

Another oddity to this film was that Nick Nolte’s character, Paddy, was the two brothers’ father and an ex-boxer. It was hinted that Paddy was an abusive alcoholic when they were younger and both men are not only unforgiving of their father’s past but also extremely resentful towards him. It was almost frustrating to watch, because Paddy was tremendously sorrowful and apologetic throughout the entire movie. He had been sober for 1,000 days and appeared reminiscent of a new man. The film never explains what exactly occurred in the past and is constantly preventing the audience from fully understanding which truthfully only made it more difficult to watch Paddy’s scenes and shaped his character into a somewhat pathetic old man. The storyline would’ve been a lot stronger had the audience learned what occurred in the past or if the brother’s moved on and accepted Paddy into their life again. Another way the storyline would’ve been stronger would be if the ending was more in depth. After the audience discovers who wins the fight, the film literally ends. Leaving everyone to sit and wonder what happens with the money, the relationships, and Paddy.

The cinematography was beautiful. There were a lot of noteworthy shots taken throughout.

The acting was remarkable. Everyone performed superbly. Nick Nolte was outstanding as the regretful father and Joel Edgerton delivered an impressive performance as well. His character was strong yet vulnerable. Tom Hardy was good, but he was basically all one note. He portrayed mostly one emotion which was anger. It was almost irritating to watch his character because he never opened up; no one knows what went on when he was in war or when he was a young boy, which made it difficult to understand or enjoy his character or story line, therefore his acting was good, but definitely was hoping for so much more. Frank Grillo who portrayed, Frank, Brendan’s trainer was great. He had amazing presence and conveyed passion, sensitivity and strength all in one character. His character was truly enjoyable to watch.

‘Warrior’ is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys mixed martial arts and a film that is fantastical in the beginning and teeters off towards the end.