Review of the "Warrior" at the Wrap's Oscar® Screening Series

Lionsgate liked the film "they said they wanted to make the movie at my first sit-down," O'Connor said at a Q&A following a presentation of the film at The Wrap's Awards Season Screening Series at the Landmark Theater.

He wanted to use two unknowns whom in reality are not that unknown in the USA or the rest of the world, Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton, who are now among the most in-demand stars in Hollywood. Lionsgate knowing that would have raised a problem because "you can't sell it overseas" without stars, he told the capacity crowd.

O'Connor had a big name in his pocket, of all things his neighbor Nick Nolte was his choice for the main supporting role of a recovering alcoholic and former boxer.

"Warrior" is a seriously flawed film about two brothers who become involved in a high-stakes mixed martial arts event. Tommy (Hardy) is a deserter from the marine core who enlists the help of his formerly alcoholic father Paddy (Nick Nolte) to train him to be a mixed martial arts fighter in a high-stakes tournament. Tommy's older brother, Brendan, is training for the tournament, because the bills have been mounting following his daughter's heart surgery and his high school teacher's salary has left him fighting to save his home on a 3 month bank deadline.

All the above only existing in a feature film world and not that of the real world the audience lives in. In no world, real or fiction would the marines cheer on one that fled the battle field even if he saved others while deserting.

You often find yourself eager for the slow-moving scenes to end and the fast-moving fighting scenes to commence.

In reality it is a great advertisement for MMA. The only problem being is that having seen MMA ringside we know that much of what was seen on the screen was only seen in the eyes of a screenwriter and just doesn't happen in the ring.

The final moments are incredibly exhilarating as should be in a sports film with so much violence in it. The only problem with the whole movie is that less than 15 minutes in to the film Oldecam told me exactly how it was going to end. A predictable storyline that's been there done that in way too may feature films over the years.

Edgerton, Hardy, and Nolte are successful in getting you to root for them to forgive one another for any mistakes they have made in the past. Nolte shines, as his character's regret for all the pain he's caused his family is evident in all that he brings to the screen. He wants to be forgiven for not being there for his family but nothing he does seems to work, and you empathize with his pain and disappointment.

"Warrior" is an excellent showcase of the talents of rising stars Hardy and Edgerton and a reminder of the long overlooked talents of Nick Nolte.

The film ends with the two brothers exiting the ring, Tommy in tears with Brendan's arms around him.

During the first run of the film in September the "Warrior" tanked not overseas as had been predicted by Lionsgate but in the USA also.

The acting was uniformly good but the subject matter of (MMA) mixed martial arts fighting seemed to be an extremely bad choice to make a motion picture about. Mr. Nolte in the Q&A admitted he knew little about it when he was asked to do the motion picture.

That unfortunately is the problem. You can't make film making social points when few know about the sport the film is wrapped around.

In the Q&A that followed the screening, O'Connor offered insight into his vision of the film, "One brother saved the life of the other by beating the shit out of him" and "I wanted to have my guy literally fight his way out of debt."

"Like being born. It wasn't that difficult" reminisced Nolte about a pivotal scene. "That's where the fun begins. That's when it becomes art. It's a weird time suspension because you're doing what you love."

"(Katherine) Hepburn once said to me that actors shouldn't be allowed to be married...you love acting and it's not fair to the other partner." shared Nolte.

"Tom Hardy can audition. Believe me, he can audition." teased Nick Nolte. This was the most memorable moment of the evening when director O'Connor realized he had been conned by Hardy, who had told him he couldn't audition. Instead, Hardy stayed at O'Connor's home for 5 days where they could rehearse the audition. He left after O'Connor told him he had the part. Nolte could relate, this was similar to what he had done to the director of the movie "Down and Out in Beverly Hills."

Nolte complete with his idiosyncrasies and brimmed hat covering much of his face, commanded your attention.

Would we spend the money to go see the film is the question? Great performances are often undone by the fact the film basis is all wrong. No we wouldn't pay to see the movie, but if was on TV it would be a different story.