Warrior (2011)

Out of desperation, physics teacher Brendan Conlon (Joel Edgerton) has begun moonlighting as a street fighter. Struggling to pay his mortgage and provide for his wife (Morrison) and child, he feels he's been left with no choice. Meanwhile, Brendan's hulking US marine brother Tommy (Tom Hardy) has returned home from war filled with hatred and yearning for a fight.

Both see an opportunity to get their bloody knuckles on a hoard of cash through a winner-takes-all ultimate fighting tournament. Despite a strained relationship, Tommy enlists recovering alcoholic father Paddy (Nick Nolte) as a trainer, while Brendan calls upon friend Frank Campana (Frank Grillo). There is no love lost inside the struggling family and as the tournament approaches, brains will be pitted against brawn and vicious vendettas must be settled.

Edgerton wrestles the limelight from man-of-the-moment Hardy with a performance that exudes distress and emotion, holding the screen with impassioned determinedness.

Opposite torn father Nolte (who bagged a Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for this powerful performance), Hardy gives a stirring turn as the belligerent beast, ready to bite.

Reaching out of the shadow of The Fighter, director Gavin O'Connor puts together a tenacious and tantalising feature but struggles to surpass the double Oscar-winner. Comparisons are inevitable but this compelling drama builds up to a roaring finale and is a deservedly acclaimed watch in its own right.