Jawbone

To those who know the struggle, the story of this fight is as plain as a boxing glove smacking the nose on your face. It is most definitely not a boxing story, but boxing is a main character.

A former boxer with promise returns to his old stomping ground on the mean streets of London hoping for one last chance of success

Stop me if you've heard this one before but .... what you stopped me as soon as I came to this page? Fair enough. JAWBONE is a traditional type of gritty drama of a washed out boxer trying to get his life back on track. If you're expecting the big budget feel good Hollywood factor try somewhere else because this is a gloomy British movie

Actually this is maybe a little bit too gloomy. It's got that British independent feel. It's well made where the social realism shines through but it's not a film where you walk out of the cinema clicking your heels. On top of that unlike a lot of boxing films you've seen from ROCKY to RAGING BULL director Thomas Napper ensures that if you're hit with a high velocity fist then it will hurt and cut you

One minor complaint is that some people be fooled in to watching a film starring Winstone and McShane and there can't be a single movie in Britain who doesn't love these two legends but the reality is their parts are minor with McShane literally appearing in one walk on scene . Instead it's Johnny Harris as boxer Jimmy and Michael Smiley who carry the film. Smiley in particular is very good but the story is one you've seen before

That's certainly a true UK movie, far, far, far better than the US crap, such as ROCKY series and other SOUTHPAW with happy ending for sissies. This is TRUE life, true f... life. If you are depressed, ready to commit suicide, avoid this so beautiful but AUTHENTIC story about a world in which you are about to be crashed, poisoned, cheated and smashed if you are not lucky and strong enough to survive. Acting, directing, editing are superb. A so moving tale about a garbage world where only the strongest can make it in the end. Struggle, struggle and struggle again, that's the name of the game. Ken Loach could have made it. The social agency scene in the beginning reminded me I DANIEL BAKE. Such a shame that this beautiful little movie won't be released in France. Maybe in DVD only. A real must see.

I really liked this UK movie about an alcoholic boxer who is down on his luck and is given a chance at redemption. Okay, not an original movie but certainly one where you care about the main character Jimmy. It could have been better, as it was slow in parts, but the last fifteen minutes are the best boxing moments I have seen in a movie. I was screaming at the screen for Jimmy (Johnny Harris, brilliantly played) and for him to recover from his pugilistic pummeling. Director Thomas Napper has done a great job, though he could have ramped up the tension if he's tried a little harder. Ian McShane and Ray winstone were only there to entice viewers to watch it and did very little for the film. But, nevertheless, I totally recommend this movie. I want to see more from Napper in the future.

If you're expecting Rocky, toss those expectations in the bin. This is a film that has bathed itself in the grittiness often found in British cinema, then dressed in a suit of P10 sandpaper.

Although the plot is hardly a revalation, it is beautifully written and directed. Despite having big names like McShane and Winston, it is Johnny Harris who knocks it out of the park with an engaging and real performance.

Not for those after an easy watch, or balls to the wall action.