VOD Spotlight: “Warrior” stars Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton as two underdogs worth rooting for

Warrior pits brother against brother, as both train for a championship — and a $5 million prize — in a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) fight. Tommy Conlon (Tom Hardy, pictured left, of Inception and the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises) and his mother escaped an abusive father and, after his mother’s death, he joined the Marines. His brother, Brendan (Joel Edgerton, Animal Kingdom, pictured right), chose to stay with his father so he could be close to his girlfriend, Tess, who he married. Years later, the brothers confront each other as they train for the fight of their lives.

The film raises the question: What do you fight for? It’s a question not just for fighters but for those anywhere who are down on their luck and continuing to strive. The film’s creators wanted both characters to be sympathetic, so that the audience would be cheering for each of them as the two — both underdogs — make their way up the rungs of the competition to the ultimate showdown. As director Gavin O’Connor says, “You’re rooting for Tommy to keep winning, and you’re rooting for Brendan to keep winning.”

O’Connor was well prepared to do a film on fighters, having co-executive produced the 2003 documentary on MMA fighting, The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Mark Kerr. Fighters and trainers hailed its accuracy and ability to capture the spirit of the sport.

“Warrior” is available starting Dec. 20 on Video On Demand. Check your cable system for availability.

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© 2011 Lionsgate Entertainment