Southpaw
Is this your typical sports redemption movie? Yes, but idc! This movie is just a emotional punch, and I was in it every step of the way. This is another sports movie I decided to rewatch, and I'm glad for it. It's about Jake gyllenhalls characters redemption story have his wife dies, and he loses everything including his daughter. He has to fight to get that back, and feel every moment.
Jake is just on another level. There are actors, and there is Jake gyllenhall. He delivers in this movie, and makes it that much better. You believe him from the start, as this punch drunk fighter. This person who depended on his wife to do all the others things. And someone that had to figure out how to do those things. He had learn what means to take care of his daughter, and repair that relationship.
Other performances to point out were Forrest Whitaker who played the trainer. Just always an amazing actor. You can always feel the passion. Also Rachel McAdams as the wife, the way she played off of Jake gyllenhall was terrific.
The big thing for this movie is the relationships. Jake characters relationship with his wife, and his daughter. It was so emotional, and for sure can be a tear jerker. I honestly hope we get another movie with gyllenhall and McAdams in it. They were just terrific together. But also Fuqua does a great job of putting the story focus on him and his daughter. It makes the ending that much more satisfying.
Negatives: Definitely feels Hollywood at times. Especially when it comes to the court system stuff. I'm not an expert in that field, but just seemed too spectacular and forced. Also where's the pre fight conference for the last match. Felt like a missed opportunity.
In the end, if you like sports movies that have a redemption arc, then this is for you! But I also believe it's more then that because of the performances. The performances drive this movie, it makes every emotional moment 10x that!