Dome Pondering Movie Review: Southpaw (2015)

What is it about?

A successful boxer who made it from the foster system must pull his life together after losing his wife in an accident and his daughter to Child Protective Services.

Who is in it?

Jake Gyllenhaal - Billy Hope

Rachel McAdams - Maureen Hope

Forest Whitaker - Tick Wills

Favorite Scene:

[spoiler alert!]

In his fight against Miguel Escobar, Hope managers to knockdown Escobar right before the final bell rings. The visual of Escobar falling is absolutely amazing.

Favorite Quote:

"These kids coming up in here I'm telling them a bunch of stuff, this bullsh*t. "It's gonna be alright". You can control your destiny. You could control this, you could control that". You can't control sh*t."

Review:

Let's just put this out here, because everyone does it in comparing a new boxing movie to Rocky. For me, my favorite boxing movie is indeed Cinderella Man. Gasp! I know. However, Southpaw is an amazing film that I really do believe is up there with the original Rocky and Cinderella Man.

What I love about Southpaw is the story. Sure, every boxing movie has the typical underdog and overcome storyline arc for the big win. However, what I love about Southpaw, is what I typically like in most of the films/TV shows I am drawn to - they build up the protagonist and then completely destroy him early. Like - wham! - really tear him down! It sucks me in every time, and forces me to root for the hero, in this case, Billy Hope.

Also, the visuals in the film are absolutely fantastic. The fight scenes feel so authentic, so real, and some of the fight action is shot so well.

Of course, Jake Gyllenhaal with his superb talent is just that - superb in this role. And hey, even Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent is pretty decent.

All in all, if you enjoyed Rocky, or like really good films, be sure to check out Southpaw.

Grade: 5/5

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