Southpaw is a bloody good time. It's "Rocky" meets "8 Mile". OK, you can see every plot point and boxing-movie cliché from a mile away. But does it matter when such energy pumps through your veins as you're watching the big redemption fight. You're rooting for Billy Hope all the way, and you feel for him when he falls, big time. Jake Gyllenhaal doesn't give a spectacular performance as per his pedigree, but he makes Billy Hope come alive. The role was originally intended for Eminem, and you can see Gyllenhaal channel him in every last nuance of his performance. Had Eminem taken the role, we'd be talking about his performance for years. Other performances are worth mentioning. Forrest Whitaker does a great job as the "cranky old gym trainer", and Rachel McAdams soars as Maureen Hope. Not to mention, Oona Laurence, turning in a magnificent performance as Leila. Southpaw doesn't pack the punch of what you'd might expect in the award show category, but it's a popcorn, sports flick that will entertain you, and that's enough.
