Watch it for Jake Gyllenhaal

Rating: 7/10 (9 September 2015)

Jake Gyllenhaal steals the show in cliché sports drama feature "Southpaw" directed by Antoine Fuqua. This movie roots its origins from the real life of the famous rapper Eminem but here Jake plays a boxer. We know Eminem is a rapper but this film only derives the ideas from his life; becoming avant-garde and successful, then losing himself in the brinks of melancholy and finally rising again with a legendary recovery. The movie portrays the life of a boxer, Billy Hope played by Jake Gyllenhaal. He is the heavyweight champion and lives with his wife Maureen Hope played by Rachel McAdams and daughter Leila Hope played by Oona Laurence. Antoine Fuqua has directed the movie quite well and this can be considered his best direction so far. Having already directed movies like "Training Day" and last year's "The Equalizer", Southpaw delivers elements of direction in a brilliant manner and tries to explore some important parts in life on a psychological level. The story is simple and may look like new wine in an old bottle but the performances have made this movie a must-watch. Kurt Sutter, the writer makes it a sports formula movie dramatised with usual and contemporary fiction. He could have done a better job to come out with some newly explored ideas to make the movie a better treat. The dialogues aren't that good but the superb acting makes their orientation look familiar to us. Coming to the acting department, it can be said that Jake Gyllenhaal yet again shows that he is truly a talented actor who deserves to be applauded more often. He portrays the character with immense vigour in the fight sequences and as the emotionally depressed and drugged father. He depicts the character so strong that it's hard to forget him after having watched the movie. Rachel McAdams has a short role but does justice to it. She plays a rich, beautiful wife who is considerate about her family. Forest Whitaker plays the trainer Tick Wills who is fine as per the character in the movie. 50 cent is an utter disappointment but one character that also flourishes is the child Leila Hope. Oona Laurence plays the character pleasingly and one can find glimpses of true emotional part in the movie from her complementary acting with Jake. The overall soundtrack is magnificent in the movie, with two awe-inspiring songs from Eminem. The music keeps up with the pace of the movie. Cinematography is perceived to be excellent despite the plot being straightforward. Overall, it's a good movie of 2015 and merits from the presence of ferocious and breathtaking acting skills from Jake Gyllenhaal. Do watch this movie if you like sports drama with a perfect blend of hip-hop music to the rescue.