Review of Southpaw (2015) by Connor M — 28 May 2017

Impressive work from Gyllenhaal and Whitaker. When Billy is fighting in the ring or training with Tick, the movie sings. But so much of the rest of the story is predictable and disappointing. I didn't buy into the quick and thorough bankruptcy of Billy after losing one fight.

I didn't care for the daughter redemption plot, even though the movie was begging me to. And Billy's wife's murder felt a bit too forced. Plus Billy's manager, played by 50 cent, felt predictable with his 'follow-the-money' mentality.

The problem with boxing movies now, after quite a few great ones, is finding a compelling plot or a unique filmmaker POV from which to tell a good story. Fuqua didn't go far enough for me to make Southpaw really standout from the crowd.

But he did create some memorable moments for the genre.