“A
family driven apart by a drunken,
abusive father faces further torment
when two estranged brothers are driven
back to their early successes
as professional fighters, one by a
threat of bankruptcy and the other
a promise to a dead friend, in the
exciting and emotional Warrior...”
A RECOVERING ALCOHOLIC, RETIRED BOXER Paddy Conlon (brilliantly played by
Oscar-nominee Nick Nolte: The Thin Red Line; Hotel Rwanda) has lived
alone in Pittsburgh since his wife left him, citing his abusive behaviour and
taking their youngest son. Paddy has not seen either him or his married elder
son for years.
One day his youngest son, ex-wrestler Tommy (Tom Hardy: Inception; The Dark
Knight Rises), turns up unannounced on his doorstep after fourteen years.
He is antagonistic towards his father and wants only one thing: for his father
to become his trainer in order for him to win a coveted mixed martial arts tournament.
He does not tell his father why he needs the money so badly.
Meanwhile in Philadelphia his estranged brother, Physics teacher Brendan (Joel
Edgerton: Animal Kingdom; The Thing) is facing an unexpected financial
crisis. The Bank is refusing to allow him any leeway and is threatening to repossess
his home in ninety days. Brendan is married to Tess (Jennifer Morrison) and
they have two little girls. He is determined that they should not suffer and,
despite originally agreeing with Tess that their children should not have a
father who fights, he starts to think about his old profession.
In desperation he takes part in an informal fight held in the car park of a
strip club and is suspended from his teaching job, without pay. He has no choice
other than to look for more fights and goes to see his old friend Frank Grillo
(Frank Campana), whom he persuades to train him. Eventually a chance accident
finds him working towards the martial arts tournament, little realising that
one of those he is going up against will be his brother.
But Tommy, an ex-Marine who is now using his mother's maiden name of Reardon
and who still bears grudges against both his father and his brother, has secrets.
One is an act of heroism during his time in Iraq; but the other is something
that could bring him more trouble than he has bargained for.
The ultimate test of a fighter becomes the ultimate test for a family and the
stage is set for a climactic confrontation between the two warring brothers.
Can they set aside their differences if one of them is declared the winner and,
if so, how will the other fare? The resulting conflict will dig deep into old
wounds, but the brothers may discover that their family is also worth fighting
for.
Warrior has been described as a "staggering and rousing look at one of
the fastest-emerging modern sports" and an "epically thrilling and moving portrait
of a family at war with itself". Not fans of contact sports, we nevertheless
found Warrior a highly exciting, emotionally-stirring film that has an
incredible cast — led by the extraordinary Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton
and established favourite Nick Nolte — that keeps you personally involved
with the story. A noteworthy film that you won't want to miss.
The film has deservedly been awarded Five Stars by Empire and Four Stars by
The Daily Telegraph, Sunday Mirror, The Sun, The Daily Star, Nuts, Heat and
Metro. Warrior also features: Denzel Whitaker as Stephon; Kevin Dunn
as Principle Zito; Maximiliano Hernández as Colt Boyd; Carlos Miranda as Tito;
Fernando Funan Chien as Fenroy; Jake McLaughlin as Mark Bradford; Vanessa Martinez
as Pilar Fernandez; Bryan Callen as himself; and Sam Sheridan as himself.
Music is by Mark Isham; Director of Photography is Masanobu Takuyanagi; Screenplay
is by Gavin O'Connor and Anthony Tambakis and Cliff Dorfman; Story by Gavin
O'Connor and Cliff Dorfman; Produced by Gavin O'Connor and Greg O'Connor; and
Directed by Gavin O'Connor (Miracle).
• Two of cinema's hottest rising stars collide
in Warrior, a gripping and blistering combination of classical storytelling
and Twenty-First Century combat, available to own and rent on Blu-ray, DVD Double
Play, DVD and Download from 20 February 2012. DVD: £19.99; Blu-ray: £24.99.
Special Features Include: An exclusive in-feature commentary with cast
and crew on the Blu-ray; plus insightful documentaries about the casting, the
training and the art of the sport.
"Warrior is a highly exciting, emotionally-stirring film that has an
incredible cast… a noteworthy film you won't want to miss" — Maggie
Woods, MotorBar
“A
family driven apart by a drunken,