Movie Review: Warrior

Warrior (2011) - Directed by Gavin O'Conner, Written by Gavin O'Conner and others
A troubled, alcoholic former boxer trying to prove himself. A father trying to save his family. A reformed father caught in between his two sons. A nation-wide martial arts tournament where this already torn-apart family will be stretched even further.

Obviously, I'm just reviewing, giving my extremely expert opinion, as I watch these movies, not when they come out (thank you, Netflix). Warrior is a heart-wrenching story of redemption that is very hard to watch. Well...maybe not for a girl, but every guy I know that has seen it has cried. It's definitely a story for guys. It's got enough action to tide a macho man over and enough sentimental moments to reenergize an emotional man. It's got brother moments and father/son moments so unless you're a girl or have a heart of stone, you will cry. If anything, watch this story for the great message of redemption, especially because it doesn't have a traditional happy ending. Instead, it has a sort of hopeful but unexplained ending that satisfies the viewer but still leaves the rest, the conclusion, to their imagination.

Tom Hardy (Tommy Conlon) was as perfect as always and brought me to tears as did Nick Nolte (Paddy Conlon).  Joel Edgerton (Brendan Conlon) was good as well, especially in the final scene where the two brothers fight each other. No, that was not a spoiler--with a plot like this, it's obvious that the two brothers are going to be the final two contestants. Who doesn't see that coming?

The writing was great, though sappy at moments, but it was quite obvious that Gavin O'Conner and the writers had a lot of trouble writing the final scene. Warrior is the kind of movie that could have ended many ways, but the writers found much strife picking only one. I understand their pain, but it was quite obvious in the last five minutes, as though the entire movie was stalling and waiting for them to make up their mind. It did add to the suspense of the climax however.

Okay, so it's not the greatest movie, but if you want a good cry, go for it. Just don't watch it alone like I did. Then you have no one to hug. And that's something worth crying over.