Southpaw

Southpaw is such an interesting, interesting film.

On the surface, it's admittedly cliché...almost to the point where one wonders if the makers of it were trying to say something deeper about sports clichés. But, brushing away the visage of what's readily apparent reveals a film that I deeply, and truly enjoyed because of its intensity and its heart. Oh and probably because Jake Gyllenhaal is a boss too.

"I'm leaving you for True Detective..."

Southpaw's premise reads something like this: cocky undefeated boxer suffers immeasurable tragedy, hits rock bottom, receives a chance to "get back to the top", trains really hard, and has one final fight to become better than the man he was before. Sound like every boxing movie almost ever? I couldn't blame you, and truthfully the framework of the story is nothing groundbreaking here, though it never really seems like director, Antoine Fuqua, is ever trying to claim anything different. I will say that the tragedy event is rather unexpected and shocking and it's very obvious as to why Billy Hope (Gyllenhaal) goes down such a dark road. I certainly don't recall that aspect being in the trailers for the film (maybe I'm mistaken), but I'm glad that I didn't have it spoiled for me when I saw the film and I won't spoil that event here. The story follows the exact path you would expect it to, but that doesn't make it any easier to watch. Hope is a character that is really down on his luck, and that's underselling it. Several scenes throughout could have been cut as they probably weren't necessary and while I appreciated the slow burn of the film's rise to climax, there were times where it felt like it was dragging its feet because it didn't know where to go next.

Jake ponders how the hell she colors in the lines so darn well...

Jake doesn't like ketchup ok?! Gees!

Somehow amongst all the sports clichés, complete with training montages, I found a lot of heart in the film and by the final fight I was nearly visibly rooting for Hope. Was I manipulated to feel this way? Perhaps. But I'd like to think that a larger portion of the film's success in this area is attributed to it's solid performances and its ability to not shy away from quieter, important scenes between characters. As always, Gyllenhaal is absolutely phenomenal and he remains in my Top 5 (if not Top 3) list of favorite current actors. Between the extreme body transformation, the vocal drawl, and the character's pain and torment, he really loses himself in yet another role. Forest Whitaker does pretty much as well as he always does here and was a really solid casting decision for the role of Hope's trainer when he's down and out. And surprisingly, the child performance in the film, coming from Oona Laurence, is another solid one and she shares the screen with Gyllenhaal well, even if I never really saw the genetic similarities that would have made her his and Rachel McAdams' child.

The film is also technically impressive with some good cinematography, particularly in the boxing ring. Fights are intense, visceral, and fast with smart, but seldom use of slow motion. In this regard, it helps the film is rated R too. Outside of the ring the film stumbles for the first 10-15 minutes or so as I noticed quite a bit of unnecessary shaky cam. Eventually the out-of-the-ring camerawork stabilizes into something well done and it becomes a non-issue. I also really enjoyed the film's soundtrack, including a few curated hits by Eminem ("Phenomenal" fits the training montage like a glove).

Just hung up with Comcast customer service ^^

Southpaw really is like every other sports and boxing film you've seen before. It hardly does anything to try and tweak the formula of the "comeback story". I'd argue that without a few of its performances, particularly Gyllenhaal's, it wouldn't amount to much.  But it does amount to something and that's what matters. Despite the clichés and sometimes painfully slow burn, Southpaw gripped me, had me rooting for the hero, flinching with his punches and downfalls, and cheering with his success.

Not sure how else to say it other than: I enjoyed the hell out of it.

CONS:

• It's a terribly clichéd movie, almost to the point where you wonder if that may have been part of the point
• Lolz at 50 Cent as a wealthy sports mogul given recent news
• There are scenes that could have been cut and the slow burn threatens to extinguish the flames every now and again
• Some sloppy camera work during the first 10-15 minutes outside of the ring
• Again, this is never really a CON, but I just put this here when I feel like it should be said -- I'm not sure I'd need to watch the film again. It's probably a one-time view for me

PROS:

• Gyllenhaal is superb, yet again, and the film thrives mainly due to his enthralling performance
• Whitaker and child actor, Laurence, bring a lot of heart to the film as well with their great performances
• Visceral and intense boxing matches
• Shocking plot event that, at least for me, was completely unspoiled
• Hope's decent into despair is crushing, but his rise back to the land of the living is inspiring
• Some great character scenes and I appreciated the film taking the time to even have the quieter moments
• Good original score and soundtrack with some awesome new-ish music by Eminem
• Most of the film has some great cinematography
• A film that's simultaneously all about boxing and not about boxing at all that has the heart, intensity, and sincerity to go the distance

Rath's Review Score: 8/10