We’ve all seen the trailer: Jake Gyllenhaal screaming at the camera in what seems like a Rocky-retelling for the modern age. Boxing Base caught Hollywood’s latest fistic feature and now looks to answer the big question: is it any good?
We’ll start with the premise which – spoiler alert? – follows the same formula of Rocky and other predecessors of the genre, albeit with some minor differences. Billy Hope, played by Gyllenhall, is the Light Heavyweight champ with the sparkly, glitzy life to boot. Plus a beautiful wife Maureen, played by Rachel McAdams, who is the rock holding his dysfunctional self together.
After a fight breaks out between Hope and rival fighter Miguel Escobar, played by Miguel Gomez, testosterone consumes all. Fists fly, and so does a gunshot that accidentally kills Maureen. Without her, Hope’s life quickly spirals out of control, and he finds himself back on the streets, mining the depths of despair after his daughter is taken by social services.
Hope has to now reassemble his life and psyche – most crucially his fits of rage – if he is to make his world right again.
First off, Southpaw is a decent boxing movie. Its stars have clearly thrown themselves headfirst into this thing. Particularly Gyllenhaal, who rings true as a fighter and looks the part during the absorbing fight scenes. As for the movie’s pugilist moments, they’re impressively realistic. So hats off to its choreographers, actors, trainers and those involved.
Boxing heads might point out a few flaws here and there – that we won’t go into – but it should be remembered that this is a movie. Gyllenhall and Gomez look the business during their climactic encounter, and Southpaw’s ferocious action is the closest thing to the real fight game to date.
We’re not experts on camera trickery and movie illusions, but it seems like a fair number of punches connect with the stars, which adds satisfying realism. Fans of realism may also enjoy the cameos of real-life fighters, promoters, announcers and commentators who hit the screen. (Anyone who notices Jimmy Lennon Jr actually announces for Showtime in real life – and not HBO – really needs to get out more…)
Southpaw won’t go down as a great drama in terms of story and character chemistry, however, as it fails to absorb its audience. It’s rags-to-riches-rags-to-riches tale (that wasn’t a typo) has its moments, but on the whole, it’s the characters themselves who don’t quite ring true.
The cast, particularly Gyllenhaal, deserves a lot of credit for taking on some challenging roles, but the ‘spark’ just isn’t always present. Which makes Southpaw pale in comparison to movies like the Rocky saga. Gyllenhall is believable as a fighter, but not enough as the kid from the streets of hell. The guy just seems too nice – when he’s not bashing in faces and destroying furniture, that is.
As for boxing clichés, Southpaw seems to have no shame in steering right into them. Granted, there isn’t too many formula’s a boxing movie can follow as audiences love a good underdog story. Especially where a guy overcomes his own demons and doubts, plus a formidable opponent in the ring.
And you can bet this movie wouldn’t have got off the ground if it tried to break that mold. But it’s still no excuse – at least from a viewer’s point of view – to gorge on Rocky-isms with such indulgence.
For instance: Hope has a ‘ticky’ eye, a corrupt promoter, is a gung-ho fighter who gets hit too much, and – spoiler alert – has to go southpaw in the final round of the movie’s climactic fight. Throw in stuff like Hope finding a job as a boxing gym janitor and you start to hear: “yo’ Adrien!”.
But it’s not all bad when it comes to the drama outside the ring. The chemistry between Gyllenhall, his daughter, trainer (Forest Whittaker) might fail to always ignite, but Hope’s pathology is dealt with well. His roller coaster ride of grief and despair is engaging.
Hope is an angry dude. A self-destructive, Hulk-like guy who smashes up people – and a lot of stuff – when the wind changes. Rocky Balboa had to deal with fear and self-doubt, and Hope, anger (though the emotions are closely linked, sure). This movie might sound like a rehash of Raging Bull, but it isn’t – Southpaw is far too optimistic in character and ending.
Director Antoine Fuqua successfully paints a picture of how uncontrollable rage can destroy a man and those he loves. So hat tipped. In summary, this is a good movie. Not great, not groundbreaking, but good. So, to wrap up this flick in a sentence…
Southpaw Verdict
Southpaw is a welcome addition to the boxing movie genre thanks to Gyllenhaal and its bone-crunching fight scenes, but fails to conquer new ground due to bloating itself with tired clichés.
Boxing Base Score: 7/10
Have you seen Southpaw? Let us know your own take on the movie in the comments.
The BoxingBase.com writing staff provide worldwide boxing news, coverage and analysis – they can be contacted via email and social media.
