Southpaw
Oscar-nominee Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler) stars in this drama as a professional boxer on the road to championship glory, only to have his life fall to pieces when a moment of aggressive backlash results in him losing his family. Directed by Antoine Fuqua (The Equalizer, Training Day) and co-starring Tyrese Gibson (Fast & Furious 7), Rachel McAdams (About Time), Forest Whitaker (The Butler) and 50 Cent.
- Director:
- Antoine Fuqua ('The Equalizer', 'Training Day', 'Olympus Has Fallen', 'Shooter')
- Writer:
- Kurt SutterRichard Wenk
- Cast:
- Jake GyllenhaalRachel McAdamsForest Whitaker50 CentTyrese GibsonRita OraNaomie Harris
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Steve Newall
flicksJake Gyllenhaal’s appetite for physical transformation continues apace here after the emaciation of Nightcrawler, but while he more than looks the part of light heavyweight boxer Billy Hope in physique, technique and intent, Southpaw’s lead is let down by an overly conventional tale that fails to distinguish itself. While the film’s first act traces a champ’s fall from grace, Raging Bull this ain’t. And despite a familiar redemptive arc commencing, it’s not The Fighter either.
One of Gyllenhaal's best performances
It is a good film, well paced with superb acting from Jake Gyllenhaal. The story was moving and thought-provoking (as well as a little heart-breaking) but Gyllenhaal is the main feature here, and he steps up and gives it his all. It is an enjoyable film with great performances.
Believing in Hope
A Great Film played by Jake Gyllenhaal who plays Billy Hope a Pro Boxer who has everything Fame, Family and Happiness. A powerful performance about believing in Hope after losing everything. The Boxing matches were amazing and just a real heart felt Movie that will make you come out of the cinema telling people about it.
Brilliant
I thought this was going to be a good film, and after watching it I think it was a great film. Jake Gyllenhaal was amazing, his acting, his physique and his boxing matches were all fantastic. I did spend the middle portion of the film hoping there wouldn't be a training montage... unfortunately as is usual with boxing movies there was. The music was done...
Hope is a good thing
I walked into the cinema with a preconceived expectation that "Southpaw" was going to be another boxing film with a clichéd tale about a man turning around his life for the good of something greater than himself. It was an expectation that I was willing to ignore in the hope (no pun intended) of seeing something new. I then realised while I was waiting for...
Variety
pressDirector Antoine Fuqua once more demonstrates his fascination with codes of masculine aggression, extreme violence and not much else.
Total Film
pressThe script keeps its gloves on but Gyllenhaal gives his all, notching up one of his very best performances.
The Telegraph
pressSouthpaw asks both too much of Gyllenhaal and not enough – he’s being forced to build a whole character out of scraps, sawdust, and horrendous clichés.
The New York Times
pressStrictly an undercard bout, displaying enough heart and skill to keep the paying customers from getting too restless.
Rolling Stone
pressAmazingly, Gyllenhaal never cheats on his character's sense of dignity. Against the odds, he keeps you in Billy's corner. That's a champ.
Hollywood Reporter
pressSouthpaw sticks to tried-and-tested genre rules, yet an edgy cast keeps the story in sharp focus.
Empire Magazine
pressDon’t get too caught up in the all-too-familiar plot, just savour Jake Gyllenhaal’s powerhouse performance...
Flicks, Steve Newall
flicksJake Gyllenhaal’s appetite for physical transformation continues apace here after the emaciation of Nightcrawler, but while he more than looks the part of light heavyweight boxer Billy Hope in physique, technique and intent, Southpaw’s lead is let down by an overly conventional tale that fails to distinguish itself. While the film’s first act traces a champ’s fall from grace, Raging Bull this ain’t. And despite a familiar redemptive arc commencing, it’s not The Fighter either.
Variety
pressDirector Antoine Fuqua once more demonstrates his fascination with codes of masculine aggression, extreme violence and not much else.
Total Film
pressThe script keeps its gloves on but Gyllenhaal gives his all, notching up one of his very best performances.
The Telegraph
pressSouthpaw asks both too much of Gyllenhaal and not enough – he’s being forced to build a whole character out of scraps, sawdust, and horrendous clichés.
The New York Times
pressStrictly an undercard bout, displaying enough heart and skill to keep the paying customers from getting too restless.
Rolling Stone
pressAmazingly, Gyllenhaal never cheats on his character's sense of dignity. Against the odds, he keeps you in Billy's corner. That's a champ.
Hollywood Reporter
pressSouthpaw sticks to tried-and-tested genre rules, yet an edgy cast keeps the story in sharp focus.
Empire Magazine
pressDon’t get too caught up in the all-too-familiar plot, just savour Jake Gyllenhaal’s powerhouse performance...
One of Gyllenhaal's best performances
It is a good film, well paced with superb acting from Jake Gyllenhaal. The story was moving and thought-provoking (as well as a little heart-breaking) but Gyllenhaal is the main feature here, and he steps up and gives it his all. It is an enjoyable film with great performances.
Believing in Hope
A Great Film played by Jake Gyllenhaal who plays Billy Hope a Pro Boxer who has everything Fame, Family and Happiness. A powerful performance about believing in Hope after losing everything. The Boxing matches were amazing and just a real heart felt Movie that will make you come out of the cinema telling people about it.
Brilliant
I thought this was going to be a good film, and after watching it I think it was a great film. Jake Gyllenhaal was amazing, his acting, his physique and his boxing matches were all fantastic. I did spend the middle portion of the film hoping there wouldn't be a training montage... unfortunately as is usual with boxing movies there was. The music was done...
Hope is a good thing
I walked into the cinema with a preconceived expectation that "Southpaw" was going to be another boxing film with a clichéd tale about a man turning around his life for the good of something greater than himself. It was an expectation that I was willing to ignore in the hope (no pun intended) of seeing something new. I then realised while I was waiting...
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