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Why Watch That

“Southpaw” is the latest work of Antoine Fuqua and features Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, and Forest Whitaker. The Critic and the Referee attended an advanced screening of the film before its release on Friday, July 24, 2015. This episode features the Critic’s and the Referee’s reactions afterward.

Film Description

Billy Hope (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a punch-drunk boxer who rose from growing up in a New York City orphanage to becoming the Undisputed and Undefeated World Light Heavyweight champion. After his latest successful title defense, in which Billy is injured, his wife Maureen (Rachel McAdams) urges him to think about quitting while he’s still at the height of his fame and has his health. After being taunted into a brawl by an upstart boxer, tragedy strikes. As a result, Billy enters a downward spiral. After reaching rock-bottom, Billy seeks the help of Titus “Tick” Wills (Forest Whitaker), who trains young boxers at an inner-city gym. Tick agrees to take on Billy and gives him a job as a janitor. Slowly the two men learn to trust each other, and Billy begins a journey toward overcoming his circumstances and finding glory in the ring again.