Southpaw

Jake Gyllenhaal
Forest Whitaker
Rachel McAdams
Naomie Harris
Curtis Jackson
Miguel Gomez
Rita Ora
Kurt Sutter
123 mins.
Action, Drama, Sport
July 24, 2015
Rated R for language throughout, and some violence. (MPAA)
(Be sure to check out our podcast episode about “Southpaw,” here.)
Antoine Fuqua’s “Southpaw” begins with closeups of Billy “The Great” Hope, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, as he wraps his hands with gauze; he’s prepping for a boxing match. His headphones emit music from Eminem’s soundtrack, which is juxtaposed with the rumbling bass and delicate piano from James Horner’s final film score. OK, so we’re on to something.
However, once the match begins, after Hope goes through a pre-fight ritual with his wife, we’re treated to standard shots from the boxing film genre. The camera shifts from focusing on the match to focusing on the spectators, especially on the wife, played by Rachel McAdams. But it’s a bit sluggish for some reason. It doesn’t have the rhythmic pop that a truly great boxing scene always has. It’s not bad; it’s just … common. Where’s the immediacy? (Another problem: The audience cheers sound fake.)
After those moments, it’s all downhill from there. I’m not the biggest fan of Fuqua’s work, including “Training Day” and “The Equalizer,” but he has outdone himself with “Southpaw.” … That’s not a good thing. First of all, who are these people? The characters are types, clichéd ones at that, not people. Plus, instead of seeing why they do what they do, we’re told; that’s always a mistake. And Kurt Sutter’s script does nothing to elevate those moments. Any amateur could have done this.
Fuqua’s films are always heavy on style, and light on both substance and narrative execution. But the style of “Southpaw” isn’t even that good; it’s woefully derivative. It’s like Fuqua and Sutter sat down, watched as many boxing films as they could, then said, “OK. I think we can do this.” Wrong.
I’m just not buying any of this. And the actors … oh, the poor actors … have no support. Gyllenhaal mumbles and meanders his way through this. But whose fault is that? His or Fuqua’s? Based on their track records, I’m going with the latter more than the former. Regardless, Gyllenhaal takes a tremendous step back with this performance. Watch “Nightcrawler,” if you don’t believe me.
McAdams barely has time to establish herself before she’s jettisoned. And her scene with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is a lowlight. She tries, and he … does something that has the merest whiff of acting.
Halfway into the film, Forest Whitaker, as some sort of take on Mickey from “Rocky” and Mr. Miyagi from “The Karate Kid,” and Naomie Harris show up and try to save the day. Let’s just say that they don’t embarrass themselves. That’s a compliment.
Overall, these actors lack clear direction. They don’t seem to know where this film is going.
Here’s the point: “Southpaw” needs to be a film about relationships. Since the creative team seems to have drawn inspiration from Martin Scorsese’s work, among many others, they should have capitalized on one of Scorsese’s biggest strengths: dynamite relationships that are the result of clear characterization. Scorsese knows exactly where his characters are going at all times. Fuqua doesn’t seem to know where anyone’s going at any time. Fuqua and Sutter need to learn how to raise the stakes, set clear objectives for each scene and for the film overall, and provide a through line from scene to scene. Where’s the momentum? Where’s the buildup? Ever heard of rising and falling action?
If “Southpaw” had cut to the chase, instead of being sidetracked by repetition and way too many non sequiturs, then it could have been much better: Get in, and get out. Forget all of the clichés, and forget about hitting every mark ever presented in a boxing film. Just get down to business.
Verdict: Bad
About: (Source: southpaw)
From acclaimed director Antoine Fuqua (TRAINING DAY) and screenwriter Kurt Sutter (“Sons of Anarchy”), SOUTHPAW tells the riveting story of Billy “The Great” Hope, reigning Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World (Academy Award® nominee Jake Gyllenhaal). Billy Hope seemingly has it all with an impressive career, a beautiful and loving wife (Rachel McAdams), an adorable daughter (Oona Laurence) and a lavish lifestyle. When tragedy strikes and his lifelong manager and friend (Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson) leaves him behind, Hope hits rock bottom and turns to an unlikely savior at a run-down local gym: Tick Willis (Academy Award® winner Forest Whitaker), a retired fighter and trainer to the city’s toughest amateur boxers. With his future riding on Tick’s guidance and tenacity, Billy enters the hardest battle of his life as he struggles with redemption and to win back the trust of those he loves.