A loveletter to Gavin O'Connor and his movie "Warrior"
Sometimes we come across things that we never expected to make that big of an impact in our lives. Last September, while being in NYC, I saw a commercial for a movie that got my interest right away because it was a Mixed Martial Arts movie and as you know, I'm quite into that. I've liked Martial Arts my whole life and except for some Judo and some Pro Wrestling, I never really did anything, even though I always wanted to, but somehow doubted myself or didn't have the money to join a school. That is different now since I started doing Muay Thai / Thai Boxing in December, but that's beside the point.
Anyway, I went to see this movie over there and expected a fun little movie like most other MMA movies, just some action and good entertainment. What I got, however, was totally different and the 2 hours and 20 minute movie blew me away completely. I didn't mention it back then because it would have gotten too long and now that it's finally come out on DVD here in Germany and I just saw it again after getting home from a really tough day of training, I just felt like writing down my words. Maybe someone will read it and give the movie a try, because not many people did. Last night at the Oscars, Nick Nolte, who plays an outstanding part in the movie and was nominated for it, did not win. The movie also failed at the Box Office and people didn't give it much attention, because it was an MMA movie, not a Boxing movie. "The Fighter", which was a similar movie, received 7 nominations and won twice.
I'm not going to mention anything about the story of the movie here because you can go read it yourself, but I will just say that while this certainly is a movie about cage fighting, it is so much more. The sport part of the movie is actually only the secondary thing and the plot is simple, yet very deep. It is real, honest, touching, incredibly emotional without being corny and it makes you cheer one moment, then cry the very next. I didn't shed any tears in the movie theater but since I just watched it again and can now relate to the whole thing even more, I teared up. Three times. And I wasn't the only one, most reviews done by people say that they did, as well.
Now, if you know me, you know that I hate stuff that makes me cry and I avoid everything that's remotely sad. The beauty of the movie, however, is the whole thing is mostly very mellow and melancholic, but it's never hopeless or too much. The soundtrack is the same thing, with very mellow tracks, mostly classical, and a modern version of Beethoven's "Ode To Joy". What director Gavin O'Connor did here, was creating a movie that completely sucks you in, makes you relate to the characters and their struggles. You suffer with them, you cry with them and when the whole thing is over, the amount of joy you feel is absolutely incredible. It truly is a masterpiece.
Everytime I talk about this movie, I can't help but spill out superlatives, everything from front to back is absolutely perfect to me and I love the storyline. No matter how hard I look, I can't find flaws and even when I listen to the soundtrack (which I do a lot to calm myself down and reflect on things), it pulls me right in and makes me think about my life, my struggles and my own pain, however, it also gives me a lot of hope and makes me appreciate everything around me even more.
The movie is mostly about family struggle, but it also is about love, friendship, never giving up and, most importantly, forgiveness. I can honestly say that I'm not really good at forgiving people. I let others in easily, but whenever they mess up badly, I shun them out and make it next to impossible for them to go back in and I can hold grudges forever and most definitely will. So I can relate to the main characters in the movie who hate their father for being an abusive alcoholic when they were young. I was not born when my parents were alcoholics, so I don't know what they've been through, but I also do not have the best relationship with my mother and even when she told me earlier today how grateful she is that I'm always going out of my way to help her out and do things for her, I couldn't really take those words to heart. Some of my colleagues at work who know a bit about me told me the same thing, that they really respect me helping her out so much and I didn't want to hear it. It's complicated. Not being able to forgive is my own struggle, but it's the only way I learned how to do things and keep myself away from trouble. The movie makes me realize that maybe once in a while I should open up and just give her a hug, but I can't bring myself to do it. However, I'm the only person who can take care of her and that's what I'm going to continue doing until she passes. It's the least and also the only thing I can do. I also probably should forgive some other people who might read this now, but I can't do that, either. I hope you understand me a little bit better now.
Anyway, I can't possibly describe any more, how much this movie means to me on a personal level and how well is done. Considering the fact that they only had roughly 2 months to shoot it, it turned out to be absolutely incredible. The actors are perfect, the music couldn't be more fitting, the camera work is incredible and it's just very well done. It makes me really sad that it's ignored so much, but maybe now that you've read all of this, you might be interested. Just go and rent it, even if you're not into sports movies, just give it a try. It is just so so so good. Oh, and here is the trailer:
Click to viewThanks for reading,
XstarchildX