Powerfully emotional and brilliantly acted

Rating: 8/10 (19 August 2015)

Although 'Southpaw' has come under criticism for its use of clichÃ©s, the intensity maintained throughout makes for a raw and occasionally brilliant film. Some outstanding and believable performances from the leading actors meant I found myself emotionally attached to their characters, which only added to the gripping drama of important scenes.
While 'Southpaw' lacks originality in terms of the plot, it certainly engages the audience and is extremely entertaining, not least due to the masterfully crafted action-packed boxing scenes. Overall 'Southpaw' exceeded my expectations and may well become one of my favourite films of 2015.