Too much of everything

Takes itself way too seriously

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

SOUTHPAW is another same old-same old boxing drama about a boxing champion going through personal tragedy, losing it all, and then having to train to get back to the top again. You've seen this kind of gritty tale play out loads of times before in the likes of RAGING BULL and the ROCKY franchise, and I found this was a rather inferior version of the story: full of cliches and bad language, but with little wit or heart. A near-unrecognisable Jake Gyllenhaal plays the unsympathetic lead and doesn't really do much with it, although he's in good physical shape. Rachel McAdams is my favourite part of the film and appears in a crucial role early on. Forest Whitaker shows up late on as a trainer but only gets to go through the motions which is a pity. The running time is overlong and the character drama is a bit overwrought, with a lot of flaws throughout preventing it from really zinging; the actress playing Gyllenhaal's daughter is another misstep as she's totally cold. Antoine Fuqua has directed other films very well but he's merely middling here and the boxing scenes lack dynamism.

Southpaw is a boxing drama lead by Jake Gyllenhaal as this was a film in which he needed for his career. It did decent at the box office and receive mixed to good reviews. The film is highly engaging and entertaining throughout and the main reason is the acting and performance of Gylleenhall, as we can see the emotions and pain he committed for this film. Although somewhat generic and filled with cliches in which we have seen in previous sports dramas, Southpaw still delivers on what it was meant to, as in an interesting and fully rich story. With these type of films, the criticism may be because they are predictable, and although true, the joy is watching the story unfold and see the performances. In short, Southpaw is a rare boxing film with heart, emotion and one which keeps entertained throughout.

Pretty much a decent boxing flick, with good performances from all three lead actors.If you're a boxing fan you are in for a treat as the boxing scenes were exceptionally good.Gets a bit predictable and boring in the middle but somehow still maintains a pretty strong story line.Definitely watch if you are a sports fan and for those who aren't, they may still enjoy it.RECOMMENDATION PERCENTAGE: 63%

All Billy Hope knew was how to fight inside of the ring but he was never prepared to take life's greatest punches in Kurt Sutter's Southpaw. As a young boy, Billy Hope is in the child protective service and gets into many fights. He doesn't have anyone to teach him how to take life's greatest punches. Until he meets his wife Maureen in the child protective service. She opens up a new door in his life and helps keep him in check.Southpaw begins with Billy Hope fighting recklessly in a match. He comes out bloody and beaten up. Maureen tells him to stop fighting recklessly otherwise he won't be around for her and their daughter. Billy's life takes a drastic turn when he lets his quick temper get in the way and he gets into a fight during a press conference with a newcomer who wants to challenge him. The fight ends in gunfire and Maureen is shot in the stomach. She dies before the ambulance is able to reach her, leaving Billy devastated. The one thing that was stable in his life is now gone, all because he lost his temper during a press conference. His actions become suicidal and his daughter Leila is taken away from him by child protection services. When the last remaining person that he loves is taken way from him, for the first time, Billy becomes determined to change himself for someone in order to get them back. After seeking a new trainer to help him train for an upcoming fight, Billy's entire character changes from cocky and not wanting to follow directions to wanting to follow the rules to get his daughter as soon as possible. He looks to the new trainer with admiration and realizes that Maureen would've liked the new trainer because they both care for his well being.Billy slowly becomes more responsible by maintaining his job and focusing on getting his daughter back. When Billy is called back to the court to determine if he can have his daughter back, the judge demos him not stable enough to get her back. After finding out that she has to stay another month in child services, Billy's daughter wishes that he were the one dead, not her mom. Billy is more determined than ever to win the boxing championship. This time it is not for the money, but for his daughter. His determination to get his daughter back is relatable because that is what I would do in Billy's situation. Come the day of the match, Billy fights responsibly and not with his anger. To end the fight, his trainer tells him to use a Southpaw. When his opponent is knocked out, Billy finally gets his daughter back. Proving to himself that he does have the skill to take life's greatest punches. This movie is a great example of perseverance and grit. I love how realistic the training and fighting scenes are. The characters are very relatable and the viewer is able to connect with the characters and experience the emotions that they are feeling. It's a good reminder that everyone, no mater the age and skill always has to work their way to the top in order to achieve what they want.