Ever since I saw The Equalizer, I regretted NOT seeing it in the theaters. When I heard that Antoine Fuqua had another movie in theaters, and that it starred Jake Gyllenhaal, one of America’s greatest acting and visual treasures, I decided to give Southpaw a chance. Even though I am a sports atheist, I have a fondness for boxing and appreciate the strategy of a good fight. I was wrong. Southpaw is about Billy Hope, a lightweight boxing champion, who falters after personal tragedy and must fight his way back to success. Southpaw is powerfully mediocre and often ridiculous. The pacing of Southpaw and the portion of movie devoted to Billy Hope’s descent versus recovery is disproportionate.
SPOILERS
Billy “the Great” (white) Hope finds the local reluctant magical Negro, played by the great Forrest Whittaker (hurrah, another great actor) to help him recover from tragedy. Everything is just a bit too conscious, too trite, too cute. One character exists just to die and provide an excuse for things to fall apart. That was the quickest, most sanitized descent into drugs and drink ever-we never see Billy drink or take drugs, but everyone is talking about him being under the influence. I could have easily assumed that he was just grief stricken with madness, but OK. Seriously you saved nothing, Billy. I thought your wife was smart. In real life, most businesses don’t want to repossess most of the things that you own like used mattresses. Why are you sitting on the floor? So your friends just give you rides? Friends also have couches, Billy. And how did you become a champion considering that you don’t know the basic elements of fighting. Did no one coach you before? Also you may be the worse social worker in the world if you bring a child to a fight to see her father fight the man that everyone blames for her mother’s death. Also couldn’t the free trip to a championship pay per view boxing fight constitute a bribe? I’m going to need to see the permission slip from your supervisor or internal affairs. I understand that the daughter is also grief stricken, but for a few seconds, I couldn’t help but think that she had more tolerance for her father’s antics when he was rich. I’m just saying. There is a storyline about other kids with troubles that probably is explored fully on the cutting room floor.
The best part of Southpaw was the acting. Gyllenhaal really creates distinctive characters and never rehashes old tricks even though he has played tough orphans from the wrong side of the tracks before-SEE PRISONERS! It is great to see Miguel Gomez on the big screen and may be best known for being in The Strain. Rachel McAdams does a great job in her brief appearance, and her bra deserves a great supporting Oscar as well. Unfortunately Southpaw is not worthy of their talents.
