Jake Gyllenhaal is an incredible actor and I don't think there's another actor today who takes the risks and plays the wide variety of roles that he plays. And, in "Southpaw", he once again REALLY stretches his acting skills and he turns in an amazing performance.
When the story begins, Billy Hope (Gyllenhaal) is on top of the boxing world. He's the light heavyweight champion of the world and has a lovely wife and daughter and all the trappings that go with it. However, when his wife is killed, Billy shows who he really is....an immature punk who has little self-control. Soon, he's drinking, drugging and destroying himself....with no regard for his poor daughter. As a consequence, he soon loses everything....his home, his fortune, his daughter and his self-respect. The rest of the story is about Billy's quest to redeem himself and regain custody of his daughter.
There are three amazing performances in this film....which is why I rated this one so high. Gyllenhaal is excellent and makes you really hate him through much of the film....that took a risk. It also is REALLY amazing seeing how he transformed himself into a credible looking boxer...and it's obvious he worked himself to death to look so cut and believable. You just have to see it to believe it. Forest Whitaker is also amazing in the movie....which I really expected from this Oscar-winner. He is terrific and is a very strong supporting actor. But the one that also surprised me was young Oona Laurence who played the daughter, Leila. She really was a fine young actress and it really helped that the writer got this character right. The child COULD have been a passive, crying victim in all this. But like some kids who have been through hellish family problems, she is angry and deservedly so. As a trained therapist and social worker, it was nice to see her behaving this way...it felt real.
Overall, an excellent film due to some lovely acting and writing. My only complaint is the music...which was generally great but I hated the rap portion. But, I am a 57 year-old guy and not the target audience...so I don't think it's a mistake...I'm just an old grouch!
When the story begins, Billy Hope (Gyllenhaal) is on top of the boxing world. He's the light heavyweight champion of the world and has a lovely wife and daughter and all the trappings that go with it. However, when his wife is killed, Billy shows who he really is....an immature punk who has little self-control. Soon, he's drinking, drugging and destroying himself....with no regard for his poor daughter. As a consequence, he soon loses everything....his home, his fortune, his daughter and his self-respect. The rest of the story is about Billy's quest to redeem himself and regain custody of his daughter.
There are three amazing performances in this film....which is why I rated this one so high. Gyllenhaal is excellent and makes you really hate him through much of the film....that took a risk. It also is REALLY amazing seeing how he transformed himself into a credible looking boxer...and it's obvious he worked himself to death to look so cut and believable. You just have to see it to believe it. Forest Whitaker is also amazing in the movie....which I really expected from this Oscar-winner. He is terrific and is a very strong supporting actor. But the one that also surprised me was young Oona Laurence who played the daughter, Leila. She really was a fine young actress and it really helped that the writer got this character right. The child COULD have been a passive, crying victim in all this. But like some kids who have been through hellish family problems, she is angry and deservedly so. As a trained therapist and social worker, it was nice to see her behaving this way...it felt real.
Overall, an excellent film due to some lovely acting and writing. My only complaint is the music...which was generally great but I hated the rap portion. But, I am a 57 year-old guy and not the target audience...so I don't think it's a mistake...I'm just an old grouch!