Southpaw (2015)
Rated R / 2 hrs. 4 min.
Action / Drama / Sport
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Forest Whitaker, Rachel McAdams, Oona Laurence, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Skylan Brooks, Naomie Harris, Victor Ortiz, Beau Knapp, Miguel Gomez, Dominic Colon, Jose Caraballo, Malcolm M. Mays, ....
Director: Antoine Fuque
Writter: Kurt Sutter
IMDB description: Boxer Billy Hope turns to trainer Tick Willis to help him get his life back on track after losing his wife in a tragic accident and his daughter to child protection services.
That description, while accurate, really doesn't do this movie justice. I felt such a range of emotions while watching it. I knew I would like it. I like action movies. I like drama movies. I like sports movies. Win Win... I don't realy care for sports in real life but I love movies about sports. It's the first film written by Kurt Sutter...I loved his story telling with Sons of Anarchy so I was certain I would love his story telling with this movie.
Some of the reviews I read said that it was just a knockoff of all the other boxing movies that had been made (i.e. Rocky, Raging Bull, etc...). I agree and disagree. Someone once told me that there is not a story out there that hasn't already been told. This movie is no exception. It's the typical rags to riches to rags story with a happy ending....but the ride it takes you on in the process is great.
Jake Gyllenhaal plays Billy Hope....and gives an Oscar worthy performance. I love Jake Gyllenhaal and have seen pretty much everything he's been in. He is a very versatile actor and has proven once again that he can evoke strong emotions from the audience. The physical transformation he went through to play this role is amazing. I read that he did 1000 sit-ups a day, 100 dips, 100 pull-ups, and a lot of cardio to get into this shape!!!
There's nothing about the way he carries his self in this film that would make you doubt that he is a boxer. And the emotion that he displays makes you feel everything right along with him. When his wife dies (no, that's not a spoiler, it's in the trailer) it's impossible to not feel the pain while watching his reactions. When he is winning you feel exhilirated. When he is losing you feel defeated too.
Rachel McAdams plays Mareen Hope - Billy's wife who he's known since they were orphans. Loved her in this!!!
Forest Whitaker plays Tick Willis...and also gives an Oscar worthy performance. As a trainer with his own demons to fight he proves to be just what Billy Hope needs to get him back on track. And finally, a movie shows someone working with kids that shows them how to be disciplined and respectful!
And I can't not mention Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. He was great. You know his character is just going to do what's best for his business (promoter) but you still can't help but to like him.
The movie is a sports movie but it's main theme is redemption. The redemption of a champion who lost and found his way back. The redemption of a father who lost his child and worked through his own demons to get her back. The redemption of a husband who lost his wife and found a way to keep living without her.
As for the title....Southpaw is a term (in boxing) that basically means when a right handed boxer uses his left fist to deliver a blow - usually the destructive blow because it's unexpected. I'm sure you can guess since this is the title of the movie that this is exactly what happens in this movie. While that means the ending is predictable it does not make it any less exciting to watch. Even though I was humming the Rocky tune in my head with each punch... Even though I knew that Billy Hope would be beat down and would still manage to to get back up... I loved this movie. For all those critics that likes this movie "high five" to you. And for all those critics out there that didn't....here's my virtual southpaw.
***
Southpaw Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/SouthpawMovie
Southpaw Twitter link: https://twitter.com/SouthpawMovie
