imperfection is perfection
Sporadic film reviews by a wanna-be filmmaker
SOUTHPAW [2015]
Originally written for:
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Written by Kurt Sutter
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Oona Laurence, Forest Whitaker, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson
Jake Gyllenhaal, along with Tom Hardy, must be one of the most dependable young actors around at the moment. His rather disturbing turn in Nightcrawler surprised a lot of people, though personally I have been a fan of his for a long time, going back to his performance in the mind-bending teen drama Donnie Darko. Here he tackles a more physical role in Southpaw, a film about a boxer who is suddenly down on his luck. Does it avoid the clichés? Can it distance itself from the Rocky films?
Unfortunately it does suffer somewhat from a very predictable story, as well as a modern equivalent of a training montage. The action within the film isn’t predictable, but the ending is and it can be seen from miles away. This doesn’t ruin the film however, as it does have a lot of positive elements to offer. It is far from a modern Rocky movie, despite sharing some similar moments. This is because it has much more to offer than just a simplistic boxer’s story.
Billy Hope (Gyllenhaal) starts off as an arrogant fighter, using his anger to push himself towards victories and a perfect record. It is this arrogance and anger that indirectly leads to the family tragedy that throws him off course, and it is also this attitude that causes him to lose his daughter to family protection services. As his wife predicted, as soon as he loses a fight, most of his entourage leaves him, leaving him alone and depressed. In fact, they don’t just leave him, they quickly change corners and begin working with another fighter.
After his fall from grace, Billy turns to ex-fighter come trainer Tick (Forrest Whitacker), who is hesitant to train him. His gym isn’t pretty, and is mostly the home for troubled young people for him to shape into real men. He doesn’t train pro-fighters, and is wary of Billy’s past attitude towards fighting and life in general. At first Billy is mopping the floors of the gym, until Tick decides to accept Billy as a fighter and trains him in the only way he knows how: using mind over matter to achieve success. He accurately points out that boxing is like a chess match, and fighting with anger is only going to hurt him when he is fighting against the best. Have dabbled in boxing myself, I can assert that the way Tick trains Billy is extremely well done and is technically sound, while also being great to watch, at least for a fight fan like myself.
The filmmakers obviously worked with some knowledgeable boxing trainers/fighters, as the fight scenes are terrific. They are brutal, they look realistic, save for one or two moments, and they are bloody. Very bloody. Using a real boxing announcer was a nice touch too. I found myself leaning forward, immersed in each fight as they are for the most part shot very well. The choreography here is excellent.
Gyllenhaal himself obviously worked with some great boxing coaches behind the scenes, as after he turns to Tick for training, his technique changes completely, changing from the anger-fueled fighter of the past to one who is more technically sound. I was very impressed with his performance in the second half of the film, after Tick has trained him, as you could almost mistake him for a pro boxer; chin tucked down, using his shoulders for protection. Jake’s physical transformation for this role is also quite something to behold; something like 2,000 sit-ups a day I read somewhere!! And it certainly shows:
One thing this flick does really well is that it shows the emotion that is behind the sport of boxing, and how the violence of the sport can affect loved ones. His wife tries to tell him that he can’t keep fighting the way he does, as we see her struggle to watch him go blow for blow in the first fight of the film. His daughter isn’t allowed to watch him fight, but after being taken away from him, she matures and during the last fight of the film, we see the flood of conflicting emotions wash over her as she watches her father fight. Southpaw has a big heart, which is easily its biggest asset.
However, in addition to the predictability and the cliched moments, this film still has its fair share of flaws. The most noticeable one being the script, which isn’t anything to yell about and apart from a few choice scenes, it is rather weak. Some of the acting also suffers; I don’t know why the filmmakers chose to cast “50 Cent” as a pivotal character in the movie. His obvious lack of experience in front of a camera shows and his performance is laughable. This is especially noticeable given Jake and Forrest turn in great performances opposite him. Rappers don’t make for good actors, I don’t give a toss how famous they are. Hell I don’t even think his music is any good.
While it is far from a perfect film, Southpaw hits hard both in the ring and emotionally. Even though I was pretty sure I knew what was coming next at most points, I was thoroughly immersed for the duration and would happily watch it again.
38 Comments on “SOUTHPAW [2015]”
Leave a Reply
CONTRIBUTIONS TO CINEMAAXIS
LAMB #1758
Blogs I Follow
imperfection is perfection 
You know, I just may have to break down and buy a ticket for this before it leaves local theaters. I’m really, really curious to see Gyllenhaal in this kind of a role, a physical one as you point out. I guess his Lou Bloom had a physical component to it as well but this is something else. I also am an unapologetic lover of boxing films. Don’t know why, they’re all pretty much the same but always so watchable. Good work Jordan
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d highly recommend you check this out if you like boxing movies. The fight scenes for the most part are great, and it is very cool to see Jake bobbing and weaving, using proper technique… its not the best film but its a bloody entertaining watch!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I’m glad someone said it! That’s what I would have guessed this to be — not particularly memorable but entertaining enough in its own right that its worth the watch. Thanks for the words of encouragement d00d
LikeLiked by 1 person
The boxing bits were the best. The rest was just kinda meh.
LikeLike
yeah it wasn’t the best. I found myself very entertained though! And its a lot better than the Rocky films IMO, don’t you reckon?
LikeLike
Of course you’ll get my agreement there!
Sean really thought the boxing bits were spectacularly done, but he was really bothered by Jake obviously being right-hand dominant when a southpaw is supposed to be a leftie!
I don’t notice these thigns, so I could just enjoy the action.
Everything outside the ring was a bit too cliched, but the acting was good and I think that saved it for me.
LikeLike
I was initially very keen on seeing this as I’m curious how Jake G would fare in a role originally written for Eminem. But I’m not good w/ bloody scenes and given the brutality of the fight scenes, I don’t think I can handle seeing that on the big screen. You seem to like this more than critics Jordan, so I still might give it a rent to see the performances.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think its gotten a harsh deal. Its cliched and its predictable but its damned entertaining!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well put, Jordan. I really loved Gyllenhaal in this too and the boxing scenes were superbly excecuted. I also think Forest Whitaker was very good in this, Im a big fan of his.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah they really approached all the boxing scenes with proper technique, which I wasn’t expecting so it was cool to see realistic training and fights. Gyllenhaal was great, but not as good as in Nightcrawler hehe
LikeLike
Agreed. He completely lost himself in that role in Nightcrawler.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed. Damn I love that movie!
LikeLike
I’ve been meaning to see this movie for a bit, nice review dude.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Its better than most are giving it credit for IMO. The fight scenes are especially fun to watch. And Jake man, he is so CUT! 2,000 sit ups a day I heard
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, now that’s major dedication.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And it shows! Just check out the picture in my review, the dude looks like a pro-athlete. Awesome dedication to his craft
LikeLiked by 1 person
He looks fucking ripped man.
LikeLike
Despite how cliched and predictable this was I still really enjoyed it. One of my favourites this year so far!
LikeLike
Me too! I knew what what coming but it was still heaps of fun
LikeLike
Only skimmed because I do want to see this fairly soon. Sounds like it’s pretty good.
LikeLike
Another one I missed in UK cinemas and wish I hadn’t. That first image of Jake G is terrifying! It looks like he really sank himself into the role.
LikeLike
2,000 sit-ups a day is what I read somewhere. He does look quite intimidating in that shot doesn’t he!
LikeLike
Haven’t heard from you in a while mate, I hope you’re good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
hey man, I just been usually busy. how are you doin mate?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m doing swell dude.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to hear mate 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What about you. Have you been up to much?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sweet F.A mate. I haven’t smoked pot in ages and I bought some…. it has totally killed my ability to write. Now I remember why I quit!!!
I’ve been spacing out playing Mad Max, which is actually a decent game. Might write somethin’ about it
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gotta get off that stuff dude, if it kills your writing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fuckin oath man, I’m out and not getting anymore. Just made me a lazy shit doing nothing productive. I stopped smoking yesterday and have already written two pieces today! Def gonna stay off it
LikeLiked by 1 person
Woo Hoo, that’s great dude. And I guess you’re still perfecting your ladies man act?
LikeLiked by 1 person
haha which one would that be? I’m far from a ladies man trust me. I wish I was, ha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Want any tips from Satrap?
LikeLiked by 1 person
hehe i’m good…. gotta pull them before I can bust any moves!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh come on, just a few tips.
LikeLike
If you need any saucy music, check out my latest Madonna post.
LikeLike
Since my boy started MMA at four, I’ve learned a few moves myself. =) I am fascinated with the art of war and the psychology of fighters.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, four! I wish I had started that early!! And I’m also interested in those things, these sports are fare more tactical than many people realise I think
LikeLike