Warrior

Warrior is being pitched to the faith market for two clichéd reasons—it’s about sports and it’s inspirational—but also for a very good one. Nick Nolte has a supporting part as the father of two estranged brothers who end up facing off against each other in a mixed martial arts tournament. A recovering alcoholic whose drinking and abuse broke the family apart years ago, Nolte’s character is on an unsteady road to redemption when we meet him, in the opening scene, leaving a support-group meeting at a church. Later, seeking reconciliation with his skeptical younger son (Tom Hardy), he cites his faith in Jesus as one of the reasons he’s turned his life around. The movie’s themes of forgiveness, grace, and restoration are common ones, but rarely are they traced all the way back to Christ, the true source. In theaters now. (Lionsgate)