Film review: Southpaw

'The more you get hit, the harder you fight, I get it.' One of the most powerful lines in the whole film describes the determination of Billy Hope (Jake Gyllenhaal), as his whole life is completely turned upside down.

Southpaw is a gripping story of a boxer who fights his way through absolutely everything in order to get back what he loves. When Billy's wife Maureen (Rachel McAdams) is tragically killed, he throws everything into fighting for his daughter Leila (Oona Laurence). 

The phrase 'you don't know what you've got until it's gone' springs to mind; with Billy not realising how much his wife really did for him. He slowly sees his whole life crumbling around him; losing his daughter, house, manager and having to do everything in his power to get it all back. Working alongside a new, demanding trainer, he slowly begins to piece together the skills and mindset he needs in order to gain back trust from those he loves most.

Jake Gyllenhaal's performance throughout the film is incredible. Training twice a day in preparation for the film, Gyllenhaal's biggest concern was not looking like a boxer. He trained as a boxer would for a solid 8 months before filming, in order to gain not only the 15lbs of muscle and look of a boxer, but the determinative mindset of a boxer. Covered in tattoos, with a shaved head and scarring on his face, Gyllenhaal is almost unrecognisable in his most grilling role yet.

The final, championship fight will literally have you on the edge of your seat. Everything riding on one performance; winning the money, becoming stable enough to get his daughter back, showing that  his training has been worthwhile, his struggle coming to an end. The quick-cut, close-up editing gives a fast paced but detailed look at his final fight and the same editing and emotional performances will have you rooting for Billy from the first scene.

From the very start, the brutality and determination is evident, leaving you wanting everything for Gyllenhaal and his daughter. But behind the dark, lonely character lies a story of complete passion and love; one that I definitely won't be forgetting soon.