Jawbone could quite easily be one of the best British films of the last decade. It is one of the best boxing films you will ever see.
Powerful performances from Johnny Harris as washed up has-been Jimmy McCabe, Ray Winstone as Bill Carney, owner of the gym and Michael Smiley as Eddie, the boxing coach and Bill's right hand man. We get a few brief scenes with Ian McShane, whom Jimmy persuades into letting him organise a fight.
Harris, who was reviled in the series 'This Is England' as Lol's scumbag father, wrote this film about a former boxing star who is struggling with alcohol addiction and being evicted from his flat, gets back in shape to make a few thousand in an unlicensed boxing match.
The film uses the boxing as a plot point, but it is all about Jimmy McCabe dealing with all his demons.
There is one scene with Jimmy and Bill, chatting in the gym, late one night as Bill drops a bombshell in Jimmy that will leave you in tears.
The training sequences are terrific and the big event is so well done, you'll be wondering who that Rocky bloke was.
Be prepared to have your hankies at the ready for the last scene in the film, too.
Jawbone needs to have more attention from the British media and it truly is a shame that it hasn't reached the masses, the way big blockbusters do.
Jawbone could quite easily be one of the best British films of the last decade. It is one of the best boxing films you will ever see.
Powerful performances from Johnny Harris as washed up has-been Jimmy McCabe, Ray Winstone as Bill Carney, owner of the gym and Michael Smiley as Eddie, the boxing coach and Bill's right hand man. We get a few brief scenes with Ian McShane, whom Jimmy persuades into letting him organise a fight.
Harris, who was reviled in the series 'This Is England' as Lol's scumbag father, wrote this film about a former boxing star who is struggling with alcohol addiction and being evicted from his flat, gets back in shape to make a few thousand in an unlicensed boxing match.
The film uses the boxing as a plot point, but it is all about Jimmy McCabe dealing with all his demons.
There is one scene with Jimmy and Bill, chatting in the gym, late one night as Bill drops a bombshell in Jimmy that will leave you in tears.
The training sequences are terrific and the big event is so well done, you'll be wondering who that Rocky bloke was.
Be prepared to have your hankies at the ready for the last scene in the film, too.
Jawbone needs to have more attention from the British media and it truly is a shame that it hasn't reached the masses, the way big blockbusters do.
