Taglines: Believe in Hope.
Billy Hope (Jake Gyllenhaal) is an undefeated professional boxer living in New York City with his wife Maureen (Rachel McAdams) and their daughter Leila (Oona Laurence). During a match in which he defends his World Light Heavyweight title, Billy sustains an eye injury and is convinced by Maureen to retire while he’s on top. At a charity event for the orphanage where he and his wife both grew up, Billy is taunted by an up-and-coming boxer, Miguel “Magic” Escobar, leading to a brawl in which Maureen is accidentally shot and killed by Miguel’s brother Hector, who flees.
Billy begins abusing alcohol and drugs while obsessively searching for Hector. He eventually gets a tip of Hector’s whereabouts but finds only his prey’s drug-addicted wife Maria (Rita Ora), and leaves after learning Hector is a father. After attacking a referee out of frustration after losing a fight, Billy is suspended and left indebted, leading to his house and belongings being repossessed. He continues to spiral out of control and nearly dies after crashing his car while driving intoxicated, which also causes him to lose custody of Leila, who is put under care of Child Protective Services officer Angela Rivera (Naomie Harris). The incident drives Billy to sober up, but Leila cuts ties with him, blaming him for their predicament.
At the behest of friends, Billy gets a job as a cleaner at a gym owned by seasoned boxer Titus “Tick” Wills (Forest Whitaker), and eventually convinces Tick to become his trainer. Billy’s former manager, Jordan Mains (50 Cent), who is currently managing Miguel, arranges a fight between the two that could put Billy back in the spotlight. Tick is reluctant to train Billy, fearful he might be blinded by his vendetta against Miguel, but is motivated to do so when another of his students is killed by his abusive father while attempting to defend his mother.
Southpaw is a sports drama film directed by Antoine Fuqua, written by Kurt Sutter, and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Forest Whitaker, and Rachel McAdams. The film was released on July 24, 2015, by The Weinstein Company. This was one of the last films to be scored by James Horner, before the composer’s death, and one of three posthumous releases to feature his music. The film and the movie’s soundtrack album are dedicated to his memory.
Southpaw
Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
Starring: Rachel McAdams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Forest Whitaker, Naomie Harris, Rita Ora, 50 Cent, Miguel Gomez, Clare Foley, Grace Marie Williams
Screenplay by: Kurt Sutter
Production Design by: Derek R. Hill
Cinematography by: Mauro Fiore
Film Editing by: John Refoua
Costume Design by: David C. Robinson
Set Decoration by: Merissa Lombardo
Music by: James Horner
MPAA Rating: R for language throughout, and some violence.
Studio: The Weinstein Company
Release Date: July 24, 2015
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