Review of Southpaw (2015) by Grant S — 03 Jul 2016

Billy Hope (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) is the undisputed light-heavyweight boxing champion of the world. He is unbeaten over a career of 43 fights. He is happily married to beautiful Maureen (Rachel McAdams) and has a young daughter, Leila (Oona Laurence). His life seems perfect, but then, during a fracas with a rival boxer, his wife is shot and killed. They had known each other since they were 12 years old, and now the bottom has fallen out of his world. The death of his wife sends Billy into a downward spiral, resulting in him being barred from professional boxing for a year, the loss of his house and almost all his possessions and, most painfully, the loss of his daughter to the custody of Social Services. In order to gain back his daughter and restart his life, he seeks out a particular trainer, Tick Wills (Forest Whitaker). Now he is starting his life again, at the bottom.

More than merely a boxing movie. Yes, it is about a boxer, has some great fight scenes and the climax is a fight, but it is more than that. It is about bouncing back and changing for the sake of the ones you love. Most tellingly it is about a father's love for his daughter and what he will do to get her back.

This all said, the fight scenes are very impressive, and I'm not really a boxing fan. Very gritty and not the usual all glory-no pian or work you usually see in boxing movies.

Jake Gyllenhaal is very convincing as Billy Hope, and clearly transformed himself for the role, making his performance even more authentic.

On the downside, does feel a bit schmaltzy at times, and one or two turns of events do feel a bit contrived, but these are minor issues. In the end it is a great, emotional movie.