Watch the new trailer for Jake Gyllenhaal's Southpaw
Jake Gyllenhaal couldn't nightcrawl his way to an Oscar win, but he'll step into the ring aiming for gold in Southpaw...
Anyone who paid the ungodly sum to watch Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao in the “Fight of the (Young) Century” was a witness to a spectacle. The ringside celebrities and money-grabbing sponsorships were momentarily blinding, until you remembered all the instances of repulsive behavior by both fighters outside of the ring. When hype turned to disappointment after Mayweather cruised to an easy victory, excitement for the sport went back to its dormant state, carried along by the diehards and gym rats while casual fans wait for the next “once-in-a-lifetime” bout.
Only in Hollywood, where they are still making Rocky movies, is the dying sport as vibrant as ever. Recent history has shown us that boxing can win motion-picture gold -- see Million Dollar Baby or The Fighter. The sweet science is the new baseball, the undisputed safe pick for a sports film.
The latest film to center on boxing is Southpaw, from Training Day director Antoine Fuqua. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Southpaw tells the story of Billy "The Great" Hope, reigning Junior Middleweight Boxing Champion of the World, who has it all, then loses it when “tragedy strikes.” He's also, and I'm guessing here, likely a left-handed boxer...