Warrior (2011)

What is the movie that makes you cry every time you watch it?

Mine is Warrior.

Without a doubt, every time I watch the movie it ends with me on the couch in an absolute mess. Snot drips off of my face as I dig in the cushions to find my phone so I can call my brother and tell him I love him.

It has it down to a science.

All the emotion that's been building for 135 minutes comes down to that final scene.

Most of the time we avoid showing the end of a movie, but in this case, there was no way to avoid it.

This is a perfect example of how to use music to drive emotion.

The song playing is “About Today” by the National.

So many times in the film we see the director pick a song based just on what the lyrics are saying.

This is lazy.

In this case, “About Today” is not only a metaphor for what we are seeing, but the melody of the song also fits emotionally with what Gavin O’Connor wants you to feel.

It lifts the scene to a whole new level.

And that makes sense, considering that they literally played this song on a loop while they were writing this final scene.

If Joel Edgerton whispering I love you into Tom Hardy's ear wasn't enough to break the dam, it's the moment right after that will.

Tommy taps Brendan’s shoulder. He’s not just saying the match is over. He’s letting him know that the years of fighting and isolation are done.

All of that can be conveyed by these lines in the screenplay.

 BRENDAN (CONT'D)
           I love you, Tommy! I love you!
                         
Tommy, about to pass out, no more air to breathe, slowly
          
opens his left hand, looks at Brendan, and TAPS his shoulder on the Conlon family crest. 

Finally submitting.

Damn, Movies rock.

This is the moment.

What the film has been building up to.

All the characters that have played a role in the story are here in this room. And all eyes are on Brendan and Tommy.

The editors want to make sure you see all of their reactions.

They do a terrific job of not making this feel overstuffed. Each cut builds to a crescendo and you don't even notice it.

Guess Tomorrow’s Film