Southpaw review: The film is explosive and emotional, a definite contender for the new generation’s Rocky/ Raging Bull.
Southpaw review
Billy Hope (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a boxer at the top of his game. After a tragic accident which sees his wife (Rachel McAdams) die, his world spirals from under him. He then must start the gruelling take of pulling himself back together for the sake of his young daughter (Oona Laurence).
As Jake Gyllenhaal gets older it seems that he approaches projects from a more mature angle. In the last few years he has appeared in some of the best indie movies going, with both Prisoners and Nightcrawler showcasing just how strong a performance he can give. Now comes Southpaw, directed by Training Day director Antoine Fuqua, in which Gyllenhaal gives one hell of a performance.
In Southpaw he plays Billy Hope, a one time orphan who is now the top of his boxing weight category. His life is perfect, he has the house, the cars, the ridiculously hot wife and the too-smart and cute child. He also has a troubling temper. This inability to control his anger leads to everything Billy holds dear being taken away from him, and it is from this point onwards that the audience feel connected to Billy.
Southpaw review
Back in its infancy Southpaw was originally being written with Eminem in mind, for various reasons this didn’t pan out and Gyllenhaal was brought in. Now, I have no problem with Eminem, and thought he did a great job in 8 Mile, but I’m not sure he could have truly embodied Billy the same way that Gyllenhaal does. The visual transformation that Gyllenhaal has committed is shocking to behold, especially when you think his previous role was that of skeletal Lou Bloom in last year’s fantastic Nightcrawler. Eminem isn’t completely lost from the project however, his single ‘Phenomenal’ features heavily throughout, adding atmosphere and drama to the proceedings.
Antoine Fuqua‘s approach to framing the fight sequences adds a real depth and true realism to the piece. The scenes were shot by the camera teams who film actual big-bout boxing matches with the same equipment. The result will have the viewer fully immersed to the point you’ll forget that it’s all choreographed. The boxing sequences are guttural, bloody and brutal, though you might get a little desensitised to hearing fist meet flesh.
Southpaw review
Plot wise the story follows a fairly conventional narrative for a boxing movie and yes, there’s a montage, but everyone loves a montage right? What sets Southpaw apart from its competitors is its ability to draw the audience in so completely, the outside world falling away for a couple of hours. Watching Southpaw is like being in the ring with a juggernaut of emotions. Fuqua jabs at your heartstrings repeatedly, building up for Gyllenhaal to knock you out with his explosive performance.
Southpaw is so much more than just another boxing film. It deals with important issues around fame, fortune and family, with several of the character’s circumstances resonating with many audience members. The film is explosive and emotional, a definite contender for the new generation’s Rocky/ Raging Bull.
Southpaw review by Kat Smith, July 2015.
Southpaw arrives in cinemas on 24th July.
