Not a great result but a good attempt and an on spot performance by one of the best actors of our time.

Rating: 7/10 (13 December 2015)

This is another modern effort to recapture the spirit of Rocky in a boxing drama, like Million Dollar Baby (2004) and The Fighter (2010) was. Directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Olympus has fallen), it features a super star couple namely Jake Gyllenhaal and Rachel McAdams, as well as Forest Whitaker as the coach. Jake Gyllenhaal's performance is impressive and proves he is one of the best actors of his generation. Nevertheless the movie is uneven and has a lot of ups and downs but at least tries to be unique focusing on the inner strangle of the hero rather than just boxing action. Of course the end of the movie is completely predictable but the way to glory is built through the hero's personal hell. I give credit to the movie for trying to be existentialist although after all it's about boxing. Not a great result but a good attempt and an on spot performance by one of the best actors of our time.