The film was directed by Gavin O'Connor and released by Lions Gate Entertainment. The screenplay was written by Gavin O'Connor, Anthony Tambakis and Cliff Dorfman. It stars Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte and Joel Edgerton.
1. What's it about?
Two brothers, born into an Irish-American Pittsburgh family. Hailing from different backgrounds, they reunite after a long, estranged absence from their family and alcoholic father. It's the story of the eventual reunion and reconcilation of the two brothers, one, an ex-Marine hiding a secret from his past and the other, a teacher, who finds himself with the prospect of losing his house, which is at the risk of foreclosure. Paddy, the father, a recovering alcoholic and Tommy's old coach, is approached by his son in order to train for Sparta, an MMA prize fight with the biggest payout in history. Both brothers follow their different paths, not knowing they would converge in the ultimate championship MMA prize fight, for their lives, for their family and for the ultimate truth, and most powerful force in the universe: love.
2. Will I like it?
You will roar with approval at this film, which is a great guy and great gal movie. I have not bellowed out my man-yell that loudly since Rocky faced Drago in the ring in Rocky IV. The plot is well developed and runs off an inspired script. The characters are human and accessible, as they pull at our emotions throughout the film the more we learn about their daily lives, troubles, struggles and family relationships. Tom Hardy's performance asTommy Conlon taps into the dark, angry side of human nature as a troubled ex-Marine who deserted his unit in Iraq, but who saved a comrade-in-arms in the process. Joel Edgerton (Brendan Conlon) gives a charismatic interpretation as a teacher and family man who returns to a "former gig" as a MMA prize fighter to save his house. Nick Nolte's performance is both deeply emotional and tragic as Paddy Conlon, an estranged father seeking to find redemption by rekindling his family ties to his sons. Jennifer Morrison also gives a passionate perfomance as Brendan's wife, Tess in the film.
3. Will my kids like it?
This is a rousing, emotional movie. But I would recommend it strictly for the mature 13 plus crowd because of its content.
__4. Why is it rated PG-13? __
The film is rated PG-13 for "sequences of intense mixed martial arts fighting, some language and thematic material." There are lots of MMA fights, showing boxing and body kicking. There are two particular scenes to be mindful of: Paddy's argument with Tommy; and Paddy's drunken tirade in a hotel room -- but it all ends well (spoiler averted).
5. Is it violent?
Heck, yeah, it is. There are a number of mixed martial arts fights in the Sparta tournament and all of them are terribly violent. The fights, however, are a metaphor for something else. (See number 10).
6. When’s the best time for a bathroom break?
There's a convenient point in the first twenty five to forty minutes when Brendan and Tess are discussing Brendan's injuries after he first goes "back into the ring."
7. Do I need to sit through the credits for a bonus scene at the end?
No, there were no special scenes at the screening that I attended.
8. Will I want to see it again?
Yes, want to "like you wanted to see Rocky come back and fight Drago after Apollo Creed died in Rocky's arms" want to.
9. Is there anything else special about this film?
Yes. I found the film to be deeply moving. The two Conlon brothers have been estranged from their father since childhood, and Tommy, the younger brother, carries his issues of abandonment and resentment against his older brother Brendan and his father into the ring (and also unresolved emotions about deserting his army unit in Iraq and missing his mother's final passing). The MMA fights are symbolic of the inner turmoil and emotional limbo Tommy feels and how he works it all out.
10. Is there a "teachable moment" in the film?
Absolutely. Towards the end of the Sparta tournament Tommy and Brendan come to face with and are forced to work out their inner conflicts with a physical tour-de-force against powerful opponents in the MMA ring. In watching these flesh pounding fights, Tommy: has a tragic flaw (his blind resentment/rage against his father and Brendan), undergoes suffering by this turmoil (and that of not being told of his mother's death), makes us feel pity and fear for him (Tommy) as he struggles with how to face and reconcile his deep-rooted anger against his father and how it's affected his family relationships. And finally, the about-face morality tale of how love overcomes it all. After all this, you feel pretty cleansed. Aristotelian tragedy elements in a fistfight flick? Yes, really.
