Two brothers grow up with something in common, an alcoholic abusive father (Nick Nolte) and a love of fighting, but when their mother decides that she has had enough and resolves to leave her husband, one brother goes with her and the other brother stays. This causes a riff between them that separates their lives. Brendon (Joel Edgerton) who is the oldest decides to stay because he is in love. He marries his high school sweetheart (Jennifer Morrison) and becomes a high school physic teacher; meanwhile Tommy (Tom Hardy) after watching his mother die has joined the Marines. Their lives are miles apart but they still have two things in common, a talent for fighting and a disdain for their dad.
Left alone to rot in his house, Paddy Conlon has a change of heart, gets himself sober and joins A.A. One day when he comes home after church, Tommy is sitting on his doorstep. Thinking that he has a chance to make amends, he greets his son warmly but Tommy wants none of that. He’s there for one reason and one reason only. Tommy wants to train. And if his dad has any value at all to his son, he was always a good trainer.
In the Marines Tommy’s best friend got killed and Tommy has vowed to take care of his comrade’s family. In Atlantic City there is a mixed Martial Arts championship and five million dollars is the prize. Meanwhile back home Brendon has his eyes on the prize too. With an upside-down mortgage and his daughter’s medical bills he needs the prize or he’ll lose his house. Once again these brothers have something in common, their eye on a prize and continued contempt for their father.
What makes this film better than your average fight film is strong performances and compelling family drama. Nick Nolte is used to great effect in this film and Edgerton and Hardy are believable as brothers. There is so much anger, bitterness and resentment being carried around by these young men that you wonder how they can concentrate on their fight. But they are both warring for someone else and both have motivations that are very powerful. Which brother will win? That is what makes Warrior exciting. There can only be one winner. Which one would you choose?
Rating: First Run An exciting family drama with kick
About Me
- Melanie Wilson
- My Reviewer's Philosophy: I believe that every film has its audience. One man’s Citizen Kane is another man’s Texas Chain Saw Massacre. My purpose is to help you spend your entertainment dollars wisely. A bad review never kept me from going to a film I wanted to see, but a good review will sometimes get me to a film I never considered. As a movie lover I want you to go to the movies. When more people go to the movies, the more movies get made. But, I also believe that if you enjoy the films you see, you naturally will be inclined to go more often. So join me in supporting our film industry by going to a movie today. Hopefully I can steer you towards a good one. See you at the movies. Melanie Wilson
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