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SOUTHPAW [2015, USA - English]

Most boxing movies are about redemption, Southpaw isn't an exception. Broad strokes considered, it does follow the expected trajectory. Film opens with Billy Hope, reigning Junior Middleweight Boxing Champion, winning yet another emotional fight, seemingly at the height of his career when a sudden tragic incident sends his career and life on a downward spiral. The strong-casted sports drama however, is not just about throwing punches, flaring testosterones in the ring and getting you riled up when the protagonist finally redeems himself with the final fight's victory. Director Antoine Fuqua shared during an interview, “I didn't really see it as a boxing movie -- I saw it about a man who's grieving and has to learn to be a father." And indeed, the salient dynamic of this film lies within the emotional grit and struggles which take place outside the ring. It was not so much the Rocky Balboa versus his opponents formula, it was in fact Billy Hope against himself. The story eventually centres on his journey of becoming not just a better fighter, but a better person and most importantly a better father.

Jake Gyllenhaal again proves himself as the force to be reckoned with. Teaming up with trainer Terry Claybon, Gyllenhaal's transformation into a muscle-packed Billy Hope requires extensive & vigorous workouts for 8 months, including running 8 miles and 500 - 1000 sit-ups a day. What the 34 year-old actor brought to the table of course is much more than just sweat & muscles, Hope's complex nature where no one really could understand him except his wife (played by Rachel McAdams), and his constant use of anger in dealing with all aspects of life both in & out of ring, are certainly perpetuated by Gyllenhaal's stellar performance.

Complementing Gyllenhaal is Forest Whitaker, who has been accepting a number of rather unchallenging roles recently. Whitaker is a treat to watch, portraying Tick Willis, a retired fighter & the unlikely savior who Hope turns to when his life hits rock bottom.

Not going to agree with most critics who blame the film to be weighed down by genre cliches. A typical boxing film would have never caught my fancy, it was the 'over-focusing' of the melodrama & roller coaster of the main characters' emotions outside the ring that got me engaged. It was the 'cliches' which made this film believable for me. In fact, why would Fuqua make it any other way? This is how the harsh reality of boxing world is. Actual boxing luminaries Thomas Hearns & Bronco McKart watched the premiere and gave the film praise, and agreed that it was even better than the Oscar-winning Rocky. They found the plot spot on, the struggles much more relatable, and the story gives a more realistic view compared to their cartoon-type hits given by Rocky Balboa.

I'm definitely going to watch it again.

Rating : A-

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