Southpaw is a must see!

Rating: 9/10 (8 October 2015)

Billy Hope, also known as Billy The Great, is the reigning heavyweight champion of the world carrying a 43-0 record. He has a notable career, loving family and a very extravagant lifestyle. However, due to Billy's temper, his wife is shot dead. Billy's life gets turned upside down; he goes into deep depression, looses his house, fortune, friends, and most importantly his daughter. Billy, desperate to get his life back, swallows his pride and seeks help from trainer Trick Willis, who then will train him back to victory.
Billy's fight to get his life back and reclaim the trust from those he loves is inspiring. Although the plot was not very original, the story of Billy Hope is extremely strong. The way the storyline is portrayed and accuracy of how one thing in life can affect someone in the hardest and worse ways possible. The emotions in the movie from happy, mad, sad and even funny are what makes this movie so great. It was definitely a tear jerker for most.
The whole tone of Southpaw lies in the hands of Jake Gyllenhall. Gyllenhall's performance was outstanding and a very realistic portrayal of what a boxer's life would look like. His character has many different emotions and Gyllenhall creates them all as if it were real. Gyllenhall not only had to undergo a total physical transformation to prepare for his time on screen, but also had to make sure he was on point with slurring his speech and showing passion for boxing and his daughter. Jack Gyllenhall's performance in Southpaw was definitely his best one yet. Another outstanding character is Forest Whitaker, who plays Hope's trainer, Trick Willis. Their relationship in the film is real and very moving. They both bring out the best in each other and the whole setting of the movie would be lost without their relationship.
The majority of the movie is boxing scenes and these are done explicitly. They are very clear and concise, and every movement and the camera angles keep your attention drawled. The audience sees every punch followed by the jiggling in the face, all the blood, sweat and tears each boxer gives out and the swollen, black eyes they receive. The action keeps the audience engaged and wanting to see more.
Yes, this movie isn't Rock or Million Dollar Baby or the first boxing movie to ever exist, but it is a new story that makes the audience have a great amount of emotion. This is a unique story about redemption that the producer put his own spin on. There is a certain gratification that is derived from the journey of Billy, and at the end of His journey the audience is left feeling like anything is possible.
I would encourage anyone who likes a very real acted, emotional, heart touching, inspiring film to go watch Southpaw.