I mean there isn't much to say about this. Ive been following this since it was first announced with Eminem attached and
long story short: I was disappointed. I guess mini rant incoing:
Now this wasn't a "bad" movie. There was little to no incompetence on the part of the actors, director, etc.
The problem was that this is so bland and generic.
Really the only stand out thing is Gyllenhaal's performance. That's it.
Every other element, while not bad, is just so bland and forgettable. The boxing scenes weren't anything special, the supporting cast wasn't that interesting other than Forest Whitaker, the "villain" was cookie cutter...
I mean at this point of filmmaking, 95% of everything is what could be called "generic" and the boxing film subgenre is no different. However, most of other recent high profile boxing films I feel bring something to the table. This didn't.
I also feel that this should've been grittier. I mean it took steps in the direction but never fully committed. That could've been something that set it apart. I mean, I might be blanking but I can't think of any boxing movie that has been "gritty" since maybe Raging Bull. Some might say The Fighter, while I love that movie, I disagree.
I mean throughout the movie are these dark moments: Billy looking for his wife's killer, Billy apparently being an alcoholic, etc. but they aren't explored well. I know Kurt Sutter wrote this, Im wondering if his earlier drafts were grittier because coming from the guy who made Sons of Anarchy (one of my favorite shows) and The Shield this was tame. On another note: wasn't there controversy about his writer's credit?
Now making it grittier wouldn't necessarily made a really good movie, but at least it would've set it apart. Show Billy really down in the dumps really abusing alcohol and drugs, make really brutal fight scenes, etc.
Now the actual bad thing about this was the inconsistent writing.
-The villain Escobar. One second he's an a**hole, next he's being respectful, then he's a jerk again, then he's remorseful, then by the end of the movie he was a jerk again. They don't know what to do with him.
-50 Cent' character kinda has the same thing going as Escobar
-Was it ever explained why Billy waned to train with Whitaker specifically? I might've missed that
-Naomi Harris's character was woefully underwriten
-I knew what a southpaw was before the movie, but I don't think the movie ever addressed why it's important Billy is a southpaw or why it's something so important that they felt to name the movie after it.
-Was it ever explained what happened to Billy's friend who was arrested? I think I saw him again at the end.
-Billy was either punch drunk or just stupid, it doesnt seem like the move could choose
I mean, Im not trying to be rude, but if youre impressed by this you must be:
1) easily entertained or-
2) you haven't seen many movies
There is very little to this movie. I say just wait until HBO. As I said, its not bad in terms of being incompetent. It's just incredibly generic and forgettable. And it's a bad thing to be bland and generic if you don't bring anything new. It just makes the movie boring.
Small notes:
-It would've been better if they didn't spoil McAdam's death. But then again if they didn't it would've been kinda hard to market. So...
-I think this would've been a really dope mini series or movie trilogy.
1) 1st part: standard boxing film except grittier; a rags to riches story.
2) 2nd part: Billy starts dabbling with drugs and gets a little cocky, boxing takes a toll on his mental health (which seemed to be alluded to in the movie, but again was underwritten) this part ends basically with McAdam's death.
3) 3rd part: Billy getting deep into alcohol/drugs, losing his daughter, picking himself back up, etc.
Forest Whitaker should've been the trainer since the first part/movie but him and Billy have a falling out during the 2nd film due to Billy being an ass only to reconcile in the third movie/part.
Having the movie in parts would've been a better way to flesh out some characters and to play straight as well as subvert multiple boxing film tropes.