packs a surprising punch

Rating: 8/10 (9 March 2012)

WARRIOR
WARRIOR packs a surprising punch! Despite its apparent disinterest in avoiding the predictable and generic formula of an underdog's rise to fame/victory, it contains an unexpected depth that in return raises the film far above others of its kind.
The narrative skillfully crafts us into a tense family drama. Our curiosity is satisfied as we are drawn into the history of the main characters.
The film presents an alcoholic father (Nick Nolte) who has been sober for a thousand days. He has two sons, Brendan (Joel Edgerton) and Tommy (Tom Hardy) who have not seen him or each other for years.
Brendan has minimal contact with his Father, strictly by phone or mail. Despite being brought up in a household that suffered the effects of alcoholism he has made a success of himself. He has a wife and two young daughters. He became a Physics teacher, moving away from fighting for a living following a hospital scare. Regardless of his best efforts, life still throws him a curve ball and he struggles financially due to medical costs amounted by one of his daughters during recovery from a serious illness. He is left with an ultimatum, find extra money from somewhere quick or forfeit his family home.
Tommy became estranged to his father and brother having chosen to follow his mother after the break down of his parents' marriage. Time passes and their mother suffers an uncomfortable death, unable to afford hospital treatment due to a lack of insurance. Tommy joins the Marines to make a new life. This fell apart when his entire unit was killed as a result of friendly fire. Left as the only survivor, Tommy vowed to look after the wife and children of his closest friend who died along with the rest of the unit.
There is a clear parallel between the two brothers. Their turbulent childhood had a knock on effect making them stronger and braver than they might otherwise have been. Their individual and collective hardships helped shape their nature towards facing difficulties, to fight, to become warriors.
I think one of the reasons this film stands out from the crowd is because despite it's borderline incredible journey of two estranged brothers who enter a $5 million prize, winner takes all, mixed martial arts competition there still remains a great believability and understanding with regard to the brothers' dilemmas, difficulties and to the complex nature of their family's history and relationship towards one another.
Family feuds, financial difficulties, illness, loss, substance abuse, War, are all common issues within society. By supplementing these themes into the characters story arc the narrative creates an extra powerful new dimension that many viewers can relate to in some way. Life isn't always fair and to quote Forest Gump, it is like a box of chocolates, you never no what your going to get and regardless of your best efforts sometimes you might find yourself in hot water with your back up against the wall. We can therefore empathise with the two brothers and their troubles and be encouraged by their non-defeatist attitude.
Nolte's performance is exceptional. Far from two dimensional, his character has great depth and realism highlighting a reality that is far from black and white. Having rid himself of an alcohol dependency, he now seeks redemption following a cold reunion with his youngest son, Tommy. His uncomfortable, mixed mannerisms display a broken man thrilled to see his sons again in the spotlight, yet clearly haunted by his past. The tones of his voice superbly echo his regret, sorrow and eagerness to make a mends.
The two brothers are fighting a lot more than each other in the arena. They are warriors fighting the cruel cards life has thrown at them. This is a film about second chances and up hill struggles with the potential brutality of life mirrored in the arena.
I would strongly recommend this film to anybody and I guess this is my point. The substance of the film is predominantly concerned with stressing universal issues within today's society. Plus, if you just want to see two hours of people fighting each other, you will be far from disappointed by the aggression and brutality found within this winner takes all fighting arena.
' I'm sorry Tommy, I'm sorry. Tap Tommy. It's OK. It's OK. I love you. I love you Tommy.'
(Brendan to Tommy. Fighting in the cage)