“Southpaw”
For years directors have been making sports movies that audiences love. Movies like the Gavin O’Conner film “Miracle”, based on the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, and the Richard Linklater comedy “Bad News Bears” have stood the test of time and remain fan favorite movies. However, “Southpaw”, which premiered in 2015, is the next generation of sports films. The movie follows lightweight boxer Billy Hope as he struggles with the fame, fortune, and tragedy that come with being the reigning champion. Hope loses everything and must navigate a tough road before he can return to the ring. Unfortunately, critics didn’t agree on this film; some gave it great reviews, and some gave it terrible reviews.
One aspect of the film that the reviewers found to be positive was the plot. Scott states that “Kurt Sutter, torques this baby until it screams” (Scott par 4). This shows that the plot is filled with tiny twists and turns that ultimately make the movie a nail biter. The critic goes on to say “the plotting is somehow both flat footed and operatic in its absurdity”
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(Scott par 5). This shows that the plot is both calm yet secretive about the way it reveals the main character, Billy Hope’s problems to the audience. These statements make it obvious that the plot is a very well written piece by writer Kurt Sutter. Another aspect of the film that the reviewers found to be negative was the casting of Jake Gyllenhaal as lightweight boxer Billy Hope. Suderman states “there’s a searching intelligence that he can’t quite hide. Even with his bulging biceps and rippling abs, there are moments when he comes across a bit too much like a skinny geek in a muscle suit” (Suderman par 5). This shows that although Gyllenhaal bulked up for his role as the lightweight boxer he was unable to live up to the bad boy image associated with boxing. Another critic agrees, stating “his mumbling seems as studious as his fastidious enunciation in ‘Nightcrawler’” (Scott par 6). This shows that all of Gyllenhaal’s lines seem too studied and not natural enough to convince the audience of his performance . These statements make it obvious that although Jake Gyllenhaal managed to transform his body into that of a lightweight boxer he was unable to act like one. Another aspect of the film that the reviewers found to be positive was the casting of Forest Whitaker as the gruff gym owner Tick Willis. Suderman states that “Willis is played with disarming humanity by the great Forest Whitaker” (Suderman par 11). This shows that Whitaker is the perfect actor to play the suspicious Tick Willis. The Critic goes on to say “Mr. Whitaker is the vehicle for Hope’s redemption - and also the movie’s” (Suderman par 11). This shows that the only redeeming quality of the movie was the presence of Forest Whitaker. These statements make it obvious that the casting directors struck gold with Forest Whitaker. Another aspect of the movie reviewers found to be positive was the directing. Blaustein states “Antoine Fuqua also does what Fuqua does best -- present a palpable, gritty, realism that keeps your eyes glued to the screen” (Blaustein par 9). This shows that Fuqua is a brilliant director that has seriously studied the script in order to deliver the best film possible. Another critic agrees, stating “Southpaw is no knockout, but thanks to some increasingly surefooted direction by Antoine Fuqua - it still comes out a winner” (Sudermann par 13). This shows that across the board of critics Fuqua is an excellent director that know what to do to produce an excellent film. These statements show that Antoine Fuqua is an excellent director that has manage to produce a rough masterpiece. In conclusion, critics could not agree on “Southpaw” with some giving great reviews and others giving terrible reviews.
Movie critic A.O. Scott summed up the movie saying, “I wish I could say ‘Southpaw’ was a knockout, or even a contender, that it went the distance or scored points, but it’s strictly an undercard bout” (Sott par 8). However, Peter Suderman says “‘Southpaw is no knockout, but thanks to the calming presence of Mr. Whitaker - along with some increasingly surefooted direction by Antoine Fuqua - it still comes out a winner” (Suderman par 13). Just like the movie’s main character, Billy Hope, “Southpaw” has seen both the good and bad. Some fans have seen the movie multiple times and can recite lines word for word while others could barely make it through their first viewing. “Southpaw” is no “Miracle” or “Bad News Bears”, but it might be this generation’s “Rocky
Balboa.”
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The movie Southpaw is about a talented boxer named Billy Hope who has a wonderful family, a lot of money, and a lot of fame. Billy is the undefeated champ and is doing everything he can to keep that title. Kurt Sutter, the writer for the movie Southpaw conveys to the audience that you can do something to make a difference so you should never give up on your dreams and that family is everything.
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