Smart, moving, and one of the most powerful films of the year

Rating: 8/10 (26 October 2015)

Antoine Fuqua takes the directorial positions in this smart and moving sports drama that originally started off as an anticipated sequel to Eminem's biopic 8 Mile, before ultimately changing into a powerful boxing drama with Jake Gyllenhaal sporting the lead role. Gyllenhaal plays Billy Hope, a bold middle-weight boxing champion with a beautiful, loving wife Maureen (played by Rachel McAdams) and an adorable daughter eight-year old daughter named Leila (played by Oona Laurence). Maureen wants him to retire as she becomes increasingly concerned with his well being as he suffers various cuts and bruises on his face and forbids their daughter from watching him during the matches. One night at a charity event when Billy Hope's family is hit with an unexpectedly tragedy, his life plunges into a downward spiral. To matters, he eventually loses custody of his daughter and is left alone with no one turn to but former fighter Tick Willis (played by Forest Whitaker). In an effort to gain his life back, Billy enlists Willis to train him for a fight against Mexican boxer Miguel Escobar (played by Miguel Gomez) which will soon become the biggest boxing match of his life.
Jake Gyllenhaal who gained a strong and super muscular build for his role blesses this movie with a powerhouse performance, even more impressive than his role in last year's Nightcrawler. Gyllenhaal just brings such immense energy and adrenaline in his character. His performance is a big stand out from the whole movie itself. Thanks to the brilliant script by Kurt Sutter, the movie presents a powerful and touching, but somewhat flawed story of the downfall of the main character's life when he loses one of his loved ones. The biggest disappointment comes not from the movie, but from the trailer gives a little too much away by revealing the tragic scene towards the beginning. Now there is no denying that the film is story does rely heavily on clichés from the other boxing films. However, the beautifully written screenplay may please audience enough to forgive the story's thin originality. This is also very emotionally charged, almost to where it feels manipulative. At the same time, you can't help but feel the powerful emotions for the main character not because the story tries to make you to, but because you want to. The characters are so well written that you care with them.
The boxing scenes are some of the most realistic fights I have seen put together in a movie. Every punch you watch thrown, you can just feel the adrenaline in the characters and the sweat drenching their bodies, especially in the climatic fight scene towards the end, and the atmosphere is intense to the point where you would left glued to your seats.
Southpaw is one of the best film of this year and I really hope it lands some Oscar nominations, particularly for Jake Gyllenhaal's performance. It is very smart, moving, and a must watch for not everyone, but mature viewers looking for a great movie.