How can you get back up again after your life has been flattened and you’ve drowned in the ocean of pain and despair? How hard it is to find the strength and power when you lose two of your loved ones at once? It’s definitely not easy.
Southpaw is, without a doubt, an emotional movie full of extreme difficulties that only the strongest survive. There is so much spirit and soul in the main actor and moreover, the film shows very impressive boxing scenes- I’m definitely no boxing fan and I was still very amazed! The main character is ex-boxer Billy Hope who wants to bring back his glory days for the sake of his daughter Leila’s well-being. Upon Billy (hottie Jake Gyllenhaal) losing his wife, his life and career are badly affected. He is disqualified from many a fight, finds himself in deep debt and is deprived of the rights for caring for his daughter. Life hits the fighter hard, he becomes mentally, emotionally and physically drained inside and out of the ring.
The film came to a head when Billy showed the audience his truly powerful affection he expressed towards his wife: “When I was twelve years old there was this little girl, she was skinny, she had ratty hair, she had been through it. She stuck with me when I was incarcerated a couple of times, and I knew she was there. I wouldn’t be here without my wife Maureen.” Let me tell you now, I was bawling for a good 15 minutes; I must have gone through a whole box of Kleenex!
I must admit, this movie is slightly predictable but even so it is pretty damn good. By the end of the film your popcorn will be sprinkled with tears, your mascara will have relocated to your cheeks and you will be adding Jake Gyllenhaal to your dad list. Jake deserves the highest credit for his acting, sincerity and sensuality in the film. And of course Rachel MacAdams, she is the most stunning actress of all time and this film does her justice. Southpaw is a must-watch and with its imminent DVD release set for next Tuesday there is no excuse!