Angela Sep 5, 2011 (edited Dec 23, 2011)
I took in the early sneak preview of Warrior last night, which officially hits theaters on the 9th. Cut from the same inspirational sports drama cloth as the Rocky series and last year's "The Fighter," director Gavin O'Connor's second foray into the genre (the first being 2004's "Miracle") is absolutely sublime.
Warrior is, for all intents and purposes, a character-driven drama that happens to be built around the modern sport that is mixed martial arts. And as a drama piece, it excels thanks to its compelling story, razor-sharp direction, and magnificent performances. The severed family ties plot is reminiscent to "The Fighter," but it's told in a much rawer way. Nick Nolte replaces Melissa Leo as the parental figure, and there's an inevitable falling out between his two sons (played by Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton) -- but where Warrior differentiates is that it's the two brothers themselves who square off with one another. While the crux of the movie ultimately boils down to the imminent showdown, the dramatic narrative that comes before it is so hard hitting and affecting, that you can't help but feel a mounting surge of anticipation once the climactic fight rolls around. Above all, it's engaging to see what makes the Conlon men tick, as well as how they work out their deeply rooted estrangements with one another. The film weighs in at a little under two and a half hours, but it's a riveting watch from start to finish.
Those who remember Hardy as the roguish, witty Eames from last year's Inception might be shocked to see his turn as younger brother Tommy Conlon. Here, he's taciturn and enigmatic, but an absolute beast in the ring. The guy's completely ripped, and honest to god, he's something to fear in the cage. On the other side is Edgerton's Brenden Conlon, who's warmer, family man role contrasts well against Hardy's cold, evasive fury. In the middle is Nolte, who is the glue that attempts to hold the two warring brothers together. All three rein in amazing performances, and the range of emotions required of them is wide reaching and impressive. The supporting cast is just as excellent, with special mention to Frank Grillo as Brenden's longtime friend and trainer.
I admit to knowing little about MMA, but O'Connor manages to blend the rules and know-how of the sport into the narrative in a way that never makes it feel like it's pandering to us laymen types. Once the fights begin, the story's natural flow allows the audience to fully embrace the spectacle. The fights speak for themselves, in other words, and they're both visceral and exciting.
There's still a handful of movies left in 2011, but I think I'm going to be hard pressed to find a film much more enriching and satisfying than Warrior. This will easily rank among my top five of the year.
