The early verdict is in: Jake Gyllenhaal gives a strong performance in the boxing drama "Southpaw," but Antoine Fuqua‘s film is pretty much the formulaic picture you’d expect it might be. But for many, that doesn’t matter as it’s Jake they’re coming to see and some new images have arrived of the actor ripped and ready for the ring.
So, just how ordinary is this Kurt Sutter ("Sons of Anarchy") co-penned movie about a boxer, his daughter, and a shot at redemption? Here’s the official synopsis:
From acclaimed director Antoine Fuqua (TRAINING DAY) and screenwriters Kurt Sutter (“Sons of Anarchy”) and Richard Wenk (THE MECHANIC), SOUTHPAW tells the riveting story of Billy "The Great" Hope, reigning Junior Middleweight Boxing Champion of the World (Academy Award® nominee Jake Gyllenhaal). Billy Hope seemingly has it all with an impressive career, a beautiful and loving wife (Rachel McAdams), an adorable daughter (Oona Laurence) and a lavish lifestyle. When tragedy strikes and his lifelong manager and friend (Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson) leaves him behind, Hope hits rock bottom and turns to an unlikely savior at a run-down local gym: Tick Willis (Academy Award® winner Forest Whitaker), a retired fighter and trainer to the city’s toughest amateur boxers. With his future riding on Tick’s guidance and tenacity, Billy enters the hardest battle of his life as he struggles with redemption and to win back the trust of those he loves.
Yeah, it sounds like it’s hitting familiar beats, but who knows, maybe this one has an sneaky uppercut hiding somewhere. "Southpaw" arrives on July 24th.
