Who’s the toughest guy on the planet? If you really wanna know, get on a plane & head to Atlantic City. Check out SPARTA, the world’s most intense Mixed Martial Arts competition between 16 fighters. Last man standing takes home a staggering purse of $5 million dollars. This Superbowl of the MMA sets in motion, “Warrior.”
Director, Gavin O’ Connor has created two vastly different worlds that reside in the same movie. One world shows us Brendan Conlon, (Joel Edgerton) an amazing high school teacher who’s loved by his students. He’s also going deeper & deeper in debt & mortgaged to the hilt. He’s got a wife and two daughters & his version of the American Dream is in serious trouble. So he does what he’s gotta do, make money any way he can. Even if that means booking back alley fights to make some bucks.
Tommy Conlon (Tom Hardy) spent fourteen years in another family, the United States Marine Corps. He’s seen & done things only a seasoned war veteran could ever comprehend. Tommy doesn’t talk much. In fact, Tommy does his talking with his fists and wears his rage on his sleeve.
When Tommy returns to Pittsburgh after 14 years away, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged father, Paddy Conlon. (Nick Nolte) It ain’t about hugs & love. This father-son reunion is laser focused and about one thing: Training for SPARTA. Nolte just shines as a father who’s trying to make up for lost time with his sons. What a performance.
While training for the movie both lead actors took a 10-week training regimen with a strict high protein diet of no less than six meals per day. Tom Hardy’s routine was based around weightlifting. He actually put on 28-pounds of muscle for the role. His trainer was quoted as calling his pupil, “carb-depleted, angry & moody.” It’s that type of dedication that I love & look for in preparation. When an actor goes through what I call, ‘Pain for Performance,’ it helps suspend disbelief. I could name a 1/2 dozen so-called top billing actors who’d never ever put this type of effort into a role.
On screen, Hardy & Edgerton managed to perform 85% of their own stunts in an MMA film. Kudos. The fight scenes in ‘Warrior’ took six straight weeks of shooting. O’ Connor ended up shooting over 200 hours of fight footage. Wanna talk injuries? Tom Hardy racked up a torn ligament, a broken foot and a cracked rib. Edgerton, against doctor’s orders continued filming with a serious tear to the ACL of his right knee. Again, playing with pain makes the movie better!
The contrast in the brothers worlds is amazing to watch onscreen. Brandan’s world, even though financially strapped, is very colorful. Flowers, his daughters face painting, even Brendan’s schoolteacher wardrobe is somehow uplifting. They live in a nice house with a very green front yard. It’s what everyone wants & it’s slipping away.
Tommy’s world is dark. All the colors are washed out into a gravely grey. Rains, clouds, industrial settings. Tommy’s wardrobe is so dark, it’s almost Grim Reaper-ish. You’ll notice these two different worlds are always on a collision course. The sound design is incredible. You will actually feel the severity of the punches. The excitement is exhilarating. When it comes down to two brothers, one fighting for his family & one fighting for his country, you’re right there with a ringside seat. ’Warrior’ is hands down the knockout punch I’ve been waiting for at the movies.
‘Warrior’ has everything. It’s a father-son story, it’s got redemption, forgiveness, perseverance, truth, honor, fallen heroes & new ones. If you don’t get emotional watching ‘Warrior,’ you’re dead inside. I wouldn’t be surprised if one or all three, Nick Nolte, Joel Edgerton & Tom Hardy receive nominations during award season.
Brendan Conlon is living life on a teacher’s budget. He saves money on movies with the Film Freak iPhone – iPad App. Just search Film Freak.
If you want to buzz you with cool movie news, follow me on Twitter @leoquinones
