Warrior - (September 9th, 2011): PG-13
Distributor: Lionsgate
Opening Weekend Box-Office: #3 with $5,242,107
Domestic Box-Office Gross to-date: $9,912,000
Gross Revenue: $9,912,000
Production Budget: $25 million
Director: Gavin O’Connor
From a marketing perspective, Lionsgate certainly had its work cut out for it in trying to sell audiences on Warrior. Not only had The Fighter presented a similar story to moviegoers fairly recently, but it had also done so with a far more famous and recognizable cast. Tom Hardy certainly gained recognition for his memorable performance in 2010’s Inception, but his exposure beyond summer blockbusters was very limited…still, many were curious to see the guy Christopher Nolan had deemed worthy to take the role of Batman villain Bane for the final entry in his powerhouse superhero series, which will hit next summer. As for Joel Edgerton, the only way I really recognized him was from his brief appearance in the Star Wars prequels, as the younger version of Luke Skywalker’s Uncle Owen, and 2006’s Smokin’ Aces, so it was a little strange to see him in a starring role. It certainly didn’t help that marketing activity was lukewarm at best; the trailers may have been prevalent, but the only other dynamic promotion I noticed was the “We Are All Warriors” internet sweepstakes that sought to highlight local heroes. Regardless, I have always appreciated the inherent entertainment value provided by MMA fighting, and early critical reaction seemed to promise that the action would be accompanied by a surprisingly strong film.
Highlighting a tragic family dynamic, Warrior introduces audiences to estranged brothers Brendan (Joel Edgerton) and Tom Conlon (Tom Hardy), who have not seen each other for nearly fourteen years. When they were kids, both boys suffered under their drunken and abusive father, Paddy (Nick Nolte), but while Tom escaped with his ailing mother, Brendan decided to stay home. Now, in present day, Paddy has sobered up and is desperately trying to repair the family he has destroyed, while Tom is a returning Marine war hero and Brendan is a high school physics teacher struggling to support his wife, Tess (Jennifer Morrison), and their two daughters. Because Paddy was once a wrestling trainer, both men are capable and impressive MMA fighters, and both catch wind of new MMA tournament known as “Sparta,” which will award the winner $5 million. In the face of this new opportunity, the brothers enter the tournament, with Brendan viewed as an underdog and Tom emerging as a clear favorite, but as time passes, it becomes clear that these two men will ultimately have to face each other in a fight that will bring all of their motivations and unresolved family tensions to light.
For the low level of star power present, Warrior delivers a dramatically high level of talent, with Hardy, Edgerton, and Nolte all giving powerhouse performance to help drive a simple and engrossing story. Playing the undoubtedly angrier of the two brothers, Tom Hardy shows no sympathy or empathy for his estranged family, displaying a noble determination with an imposing physicality that proves he will be a more than capable villain for Batman…Christian Bale had better watch his back next summer! As for Joel Edgerton, it is shocking that this actor is not more famous, as he is an engaging and emotional crowd-pleaser who draws in audience support almost instantaneously, when he wins his first fight, you’re going to have to fight off the impulse to stand up and cheer for the unlikely underdog. And then there is Nick Nolte, who emanates so much guilt that by the end of the film, you might actually find yourself forgiving him for the atrocities that still haunt his sons; in truth, I never thought he was capable of such a heated performance. The reality of this troubled dynamic is only enhanced by the energetic fight scenes enhanced by the stylish direction of Gavin O’Connor, which reminds everyone of the brutality of MMA and further showcases how much that these men are willing to sacrifice in order to help the ones that they love. Rocky and Rudy are usually the default choices for high-quality and inspiring sports films, but I now believe that Warrior has rightfully earned its place among those classics.
With strong characters and an exciting setting, Warrior was a surprising treat at the theater, but with that being said there are a few weak points. First off, the film starts at an absolute snails pace that is a sharp contrast to the instantaneously engaging The Fighter from last year; granted, the slow start only lasts minutes, but it is definitely noticeable in the face of the high expectations that many moviegoers will hold. And just like the weak beginning, the abrupt ending of this action drama is disappointing; the film spent so much time getting the audience involved with these characters and their story, so it is tragic that at just under two-and-a-half hours, the project still feels incomplete. As for the troubled family dynamic, there are times when Warrior overplays this theme…Tommy and Brendan hate each other so deeply that it is easy to forget some of the nobler intentions that they have for competing in Sparta. Given these shortcomings, Warrior may not be perfect, but in light of the rest of the film, the only thing that is disappointing is the fact that, if these small imperfections had been corrected, Warrior could easily have been declared one of the best sports movies ever made.
This past week, Entertainment Weekly lamented America’s apparent lack of interest in Warrior, and I couldn’t agree more, because the disparity between film quality and box office performance is tragic. Warrior was only able to earn third place in its opening weekend with just over $5 million in ticket sales, and to-date, the film hasn’t even cracked $10 million. Apparently, Lionsgate was unable to sell audiences on unfamiliar actors tackling a familiar storyline during a slow month at the theater, and it is sad to think that such a strong film will probably end up losing money against a modest $25 million production budget. The only solace I can find is that Warrior will probably remain a strong entry heading into awards season and its relatively unknown actors will become household names soon enough. I cannot stress it enough, Warrior is absolutely fantastic and should not be missed…if you enjoyed The Fighter, then I know that you will love the heartfelt and inspiring story told by Warrior.
Overall Recommendation: Very High
