'Warrior'-- fighting the good fight against cliched brother dramas.
"Warrior" is the story of two brothers who fight each other in an MMA winner take all battle as seen on ESPN. Yes, I thought the plot was stupid too, but then I watched it, it's pretty good actually.
"Why", I asked myself, "do I get a free copy of 'Warrior'?" "Did someones child recently become a SAG rep and thus they tickled their way to getting the film nominated?" Well, yes, those thoughts would cross a person's mind, but it is actually because Nick Nolte is nominated for a SAG award, and he's pretty good-- along with the whole film, surprisingly.
One brother is a war vet on the lam... and the other is a physics teacher (you had me at 'hello') on the verge of foreclosure. One brother is single and looking to take care of his fallen comrade's family, the other brother is working two jobs to take care of his own, including a daughter with a heart condition. Their father is a former alcoholic, former coach whose alcoholism led to their mother walking out and taking one of the boys with her.
It sounds like overt melo-drama and it very easily could be, but it never devolves to that. The plot is very dense, but it never tries to become sappy, understanding that it is actually going to draw an audience of MMA fans. But then, it also never treats the stories as mere 'between-the-fights' filler. The actors, Joel Edgerton, Nick Nolte and Tom Hardy are all quite interesting in their respective parts. Only Tom Hardy tickles the ivory's of over-the-top moroseness and near soap-operatic sensibilities; but he only tickles them, and then returns to earth. Nick Nolte is very much deserving of his nomination. His turn as a post AA alcoholic is touching and troubling. When younger son Tommy pushes him to drink again, even the perpetually scowling Tommy feels compassion for the pain and regret that 'Paddy Conlon' lives with ever day.
Even the fight at the end of the film, though entirely predictable in plot and outcome is horrible to watch and brings actually brotherly drama to each punch and kick.
I recommend "Warrior" to any and all who can stomach blood and fighting. It is definitely worth a Netflix cue and potentially even a theater viewing (if it's still around), especially if you can find it at the dollar theater. It will be particularly poinient for any male who loved 'good will hunting'... for me, it just sort of has that vibe.
In the end, it runs long (over 2 hours) but holds your attention. I only checked my watch when Brendan's (the older brother) wife spoke for more than 13 seconds, other than that I was wondering which cliche the film would fall into. The answer to that presumption, is actually, very few.
"Warrior" is a good film, and if you're a fan of the underdog, or have testosterone flowing through your veins; chances are you will like it; if not, well... just watch 'Bridesmaids' again.
"Why", I asked myself, "do I get a free copy of 'Warrior'?" "Did someones child recently become a SAG rep and thus they tickled their way to getting the film nominated?" Well, yes, those thoughts would cross a person's mind, but it is actually because Nick Nolte is nominated for a SAG award, and he's pretty good-- along with the whole film, surprisingly.
One brother is a war vet on the lam... and the other is a physics teacher (you had me at 'hello') on the verge of foreclosure. One brother is single and looking to take care of his fallen comrade's family, the other brother is working two jobs to take care of his own, including a daughter with a heart condition. Their father is a former alcoholic, former coach whose alcoholism led to their mother walking out and taking one of the boys with her.
It sounds like overt melo-drama and it very easily could be, but it never devolves to that. The plot is very dense, but it never tries to become sappy, understanding that it is actually going to draw an audience of MMA fans. But then, it also never treats the stories as mere 'between-the-fights' filler. The actors, Joel Edgerton, Nick Nolte and Tom Hardy are all quite interesting in their respective parts. Only Tom Hardy tickles the ivory's of over-the-top moroseness and near soap-operatic sensibilities; but he only tickles them, and then returns to earth. Nick Nolte is very much deserving of his nomination. His turn as a post AA alcoholic is touching and troubling. When younger son Tommy pushes him to drink again, even the perpetually scowling Tommy feels compassion for the pain and regret that 'Paddy Conlon' lives with ever day.
Even the fight at the end of the film, though entirely predictable in plot and outcome is horrible to watch and brings actually brotherly drama to each punch and kick.
I recommend "Warrior" to any and all who can stomach blood and fighting. It is definitely worth a Netflix cue and potentially even a theater viewing (if it's still around), especially if you can find it at the dollar theater. It will be particularly poinient for any male who loved 'good will hunting'... for me, it just sort of has that vibe.
In the end, it runs long (over 2 hours) but holds your attention. I only checked my watch when Brendan's (the older brother) wife spoke for more than 13 seconds, other than that I was wondering which cliche the film would fall into. The answer to that presumption, is actually, very few.
"Warrior" is a good film, and if you're a fan of the underdog, or have testosterone flowing through your veins; chances are you will like it; if not, well... just watch 'Bridesmaids' again.
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