Multiple Male Anger

Rating: Null/10 (27 September 2011)

I can't understand the poor reviews Warrior has received in the UK. Admittedly, if you write down the plot it seems complete hokum, but the outstanding acting performances across the board lift the film above its fight-movie premise.
In particular, I enjoyed Joel Edgerton (reprising his star turn in Half Nelson) as a science teacher attempting to earn extra bucks to keep his family afloat after medical expenses sink their finances. Tom Hardy is fine too as his grumpy brother who's gone AWOL from the army.
The schoolroom scenes are superb and the later part of the movie also captures the feel of Atlantic City. One of the few omissions is that you don't get to see Tom Hardy train with his father (NIck Nolte) when this should be one of the cruxes of the film.
Overall then, I think Warrior deserves a few Oscar nominations rather than a critical mauling. Perhaps Hollywood is just tired of fight movies.