Jawbone review: Johnny Harris leads the cast and scripts this ultra-gritty British drama which truly is one of the stand-out British films of the year so far.
Jawbone review by Paul Heath.
If Ken Loach were to make a boxing film, I think it would look a lot like Jawbone. Grounded in gritty reality, the film is fiercely engaging, raw and hard-hitting from the outset.
The story revolves around Johnny Harris’ Jimmy McCabe, a down on his luck, out of work and about-to-homeless south Londoner who returns to the boxing club where he spent his youth to find some kind of solace, and, at the same time pull his life back together. There, he is encounters old mentor, club owner Bill (Ray Winstone) who reluctantly agrees to help him, just so long as he stays on the straight and narrow, and off the booze. Jimmy is almost immediately offered a way out through a financial dangling carrot by way of a £2000 purse presented by unlicensed boxing promoter Joe Padgett (a menacing Ian McShane). All that Jimmy has to do is travel north to take part in the fight, something that he agrees to do, much to the dismay of Bill and his trainer colleague Eddie (Michael Smiley).
Read More: Watch the Jawbone trailer
Harris scripts the film, drawing from his own experiences and the grim reality of a protagonist hitting rock bottom is perfectly painted by the skilled screenwriter and the dynamic direction from Thomas Napper who makes his dramatic feature directorial debut following some exceptional second unit work on Pan, Beauty and the Beast and the upcoming Mary Poppins Returns. From a filmmaker who has clearly worked on more family-orientated fare in the past, Jawbone‘s relentless rawness and unforgivable realness is a welcomed surprise.
Winstone and McShane’s roles are limited, the latter appearing in just two brief scenes, but this is a film that showcases some absolutely sterling work from Michael Smiley and particularly Harris, both of whom steal every frame they appear in. Faultless acting aside, Jawbone also features some of the best boxing sequences ever committed to film, Napper and cinematographer Tad Radcliffe (’71, Pride) managing to balance gritty realism with stunning cinematic gloss. The involvement of former boxing champ Barry McGuigan also must have helped massively when it comes to the hugely engrossing final fight sequence which does, quite literally manage to position you right on the very edge of your seat.
Jawbone had me glued to the screen from start to finish; an unstoppable, well-told British drama that packs an emotional and physical punch that stays with you for days long after the final credits roll. With the Paul Weller soundtrack that compliments the stunning visuals and supremely crafted acting, this is an absolute must.
Jawbone review by Paul Heath, May 2017.
Jawbone is released in UK cinemas on Friday 12th May 2017.
