Southpaw

Jake Gyllenhaal bulked up and worked out with boxers Victor Ortiz and Miguel Gomez in preparation for his arduous role as light-heavyweight champion Billy “The Great” Hope. As the story begins, boxer Billy leads an idyllic, happy life with a wonderful wife, Maureen (Rachel McAdams), and a precocious young daughter, Leila (Oona Laurence). But Billy's world comes crashing down when Maureen is accidently killed during a confrontation with boxer Miguel Escobar (Gomez) one night. Billy's anger and despair lead to suspension and substance abuse; his promoter/manager (Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson) quits, and Leila is placed with family services. Determined to win back custody of his daughter, Billy finds a rundown gym, owned by Titus “Tick” Willis (Forest Whitaker), who trains him for a comeback, teaching him to control his emotional volatility. “Boxing isn't about this,” Tick says, indicating his fist. “It's about this,” he claims, pointing to his head, “It's a game of chess.” Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Southpaw is obsessed with masculine aggression and violence, presenting physical brutality with intense realism. But its story of suffering on the road to revenge and redemption feels rather familiar. Incidentally, the lead role was originally written for rapper Eminem, who bowed out, leaving the project in turnaround until Harvey Weinstein picked it up. Optional. (S. Granger)