Jake Gyllenhaal Hits Hard in Crowd-Pleasing 'Southpaw' (Review)

It's no secret that I love Jake Gyllenhaal. I love him as an actor, as a movie star and as my imaginary friend. The guy has built an incredible resume over the last 20 years with acclaimed roles in (deep breath) Donnie Darko, Jarhead, Brokeback Mountain, End of Watch, Zodiac, The Good Girl, Source Code, Prisoners, Love & Other Drugs, Enemy and his tour de force Nightcrawler. We can forgive him for Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, right, people? My boy Jakey G. is not only an awesome talent but he really picks awesome roles for himself.

His latest film is Southpaw, from director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer). Jake Gyllenhaal stars alongside Forest Whitaker (Lee Daniels' The Butler), newcomer and Tony winner Oona Lawrence, rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Naomie Harris (Skyfall), Miguel Gomez (TV's The Strain) and Rachel McAdams (The Vow). The film is the debut film script from Kurt Sutter, known as the creator of Sons of Anarchy. Cinematography is by Mauro Fiore (Avatar), with editing by John Refoua (Olympus Has Fallen) and the score by the recently deceased James Horner.

Billy Hope (Gyllenhaal) is a boxer who wins the World Light Heavyweight championship. During an altercation with rising boxer Miguel (Gomez), Billy's wife Maureen (McAdams) is killed. Billy then goes through a self-destructive downward spiral, culminating with his daughter Leila (Lawrence) being taken away by the state. After his license gets suspended and he's dropped by his manager (Jackson), Billy comes to his old gym. His old trainer Tick (Whitaker) gives him a job and starts to train him again as Billy decides to put his life back together.

Movies like Southpaw are major crowd-pleasers. This is a heartfelt drama about a guy who goes through the ringer and then pulls himself back up with hard work, determination and effort. He loves his family. He's a grieving widower. I have no doubt that in some ways this is a shameless Hollywood product made to pull at the heartstrings. But the film does have some moments of earnest raw emotion that feel earned.

A major reason why the movie works at all is Jake Gyllenhaal and his incredible supporting cast. Gyllenhaal delivers a full-bodied performance and he wears his emotions on his sleeve. The performance is brilliant in its humility and quietness. But Gyllenhaal does let loose, boy, is it effective. The film is really about Hope's grief, which manifests itself through anger, sell-destruction, some sobbing and ultimately victory. Gyllenhaal is amazingly committed just as he's been for a while. I wouldn't call Billy Hope his best performance but it does rank among his finest work.

Forest Whitaker adds some personality and vitality to what could have been a standard mentor role. He too has some glorious moments of emoting and his work is strong in the film. He has such a commanding presence, which hides under a sad softness. Rachel McAdams has a small extended cameo but she does good work. I just like seeing her onscreen and her inherent likability adds depth to a supportive wife role. Oona Lawrence is asked to display grief almost as complicated as Billy's and she succeeds. Curtis Jackson, Naomie Harris and Miguel Gomez don't have much room to play with their characters but they acquit themselves rather well.

Southpaw is predictable and full of cliches. This isn't going to become a major classic by any stretch. The actors really enliven the script; Sutter's story hits the same plot elements as any movie like this. The dialogue has some uniqueness but there aren't very many memorable lines or moments. Horner's score is evocative and sensitive. The cinematography and editing keep a kinetic pace. Director Antoine Fuqua's films are gritty, violent but emotionally felt--his direction here is confident.

If you can accept a story with few surprises, Southpaw is an enjoyable drama. The film's major benefit is its star Jake Gyllenhaal as well as the supporting cast. While the cynic in me thinks this movie feels engineered to get its emotions, I can't say I didn't find this movie effective. I liked the film but I can't recommend it as a must-see. Southpaw is best seen at home--unless you're a major Jakey G. fan like I am.

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