Southpaw

By: John Delia

You can hear a pin drop in the boxer’s dressing room as the feel of high tension begins. Here we see prize fighter Billy Hope (Jake Gyllenhaal) getting his hands meticulously taped for his championship boxing match against Darius Jones (Cedrick D. Jones). Still undefeated, Billy needs to win the fight to retain the Light Heavyweight Crown and the fame and money that goes with it. In the ring the battle between the two gets very brutal with each taking pounding blows to the body and cuts on their faces. Blood running from Hope’s eye has not stopped the man from his determination to last through round ten. The number of hits he’s taking from Jones has put Billy in a position of putting Jones down for a ten count or being unseated as champ. This is Southpaw.

That’s the opening sequence that introduces Billy Hope in this very tense, compelling, heartbreaking and emotional story of determination, revenge and retribution. It’s an excellent film with all the trappings of a chance at an Oscar.  Even though it tends to be male targeted, most women that can sit through scenes of up close and violent boxing should enjoy the drama and heartfelt story.

The film continues with tragedy striking the family causing Billy to spiral down into despair. Looking to lift his life for the sake of his daughter Leila (Oona Laurence), he seeks out ex-fighter and trainer Titus “Tick” Wills (Forest Whitaker). With Wills, Billy finds the going tough, but it’s a long road to redemption. Director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) moves his film along at a nice pace introducing relevant characters into Billy’s life and creating an aura of optimism in the face of hopelessness. He uses close-up camera work to show the brutal battles in the ring. His camera direction reminds me of some of the most gut wrenching films like the classic Raging Bull and the vicious film The Fighter. Holding nothing back, Fuqua does what he knows best, making his film look true to life and with Southpaw he comes up a winner.

The acting by Jake Gyllenhaal shows his outstanding ability to take his character in and out of his ups and downs career. Having come from a children’s home in the worst of neighborhoods, Billy Hope clawed his way up the ladder of the fight game to a prosperous lifestyle. He shows several sides of Billy; enjoying a very loving family with a supportive wife Maureen (Rachel McAdams), until it gets ripped away from him, his unflinching battles in the ring as a fighter and then a trip into helplessness when his daughter gets taken away. Gyllenhaal captivates and makes it all look real. Be looking for his name when the Oscar ballots are sent out next year.

Forest Whitaker rises above his fellow support actors with his best performance yet. As Wills, he brings another side of the fight game into play showing where young fighters are born and comeback kids are found. Much like Burgess Meredith as Rocky Balboa’s trainer in the film Rocky, Wills has rules and discipline with no time for slackers. It’s a very good fit for Whitaker and one that helps the film from becoming just another boxing story.

The charmer of the movie is Oona Laurence as Leila Hope. She’s so good here that she steals key scenes.  One in particular shows her acting out against her father and laying blame for the tragedy that befell them. A tough youngster, she has to come to terms with the situation she’s been handed and Laurence does an admirable job of bringing realism her role.

The soundtrack enhances the action, adds deep feelings and instills determination to the drama. Featured singers and performers include James Horner (“Cry for Love”), Eminem (“Phenominal”), Eminem & Gwen Stefani (“Kings Never Die”), Denaun (“This Corner”), Busta Rhymes, Rob Bailey  & The Hustle Standard ft., Kxng Crooked & Tech N9ne (“Beast”), Action Bronson & Joey Bada$$ ft. Rico Love (“What About The Rest of Us”), Bad Meets Evil (“Raw”), Slaughterhouse (“R.N.S.”), 50 cent (“Drama Never Dies”), Prhyme Mode ft. Logic (“Mode”) and The Weeknd (“Wicked Games”).

Southpaw has been rated R by the MPAA for language throughout, and some violence. Don’t let the rating fool you, the violence is very brutal in the ring and during a fatal altercation. There is a lot of blood coming from the fighters during the boxing and also a scene of suggestive sexuality.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Acting, direction and the compelling story are outstanding. (A)