Jawbone (2017) [review]
Jawbone (2017) [review]
A real boxing film that isn't about boxing
Quick Review
Great film.
This is not a boxing movie. It’s an addiction story where the main character is a boxer. Calling ‘Jawbone’ a boxing movie is akin to calling ‘The Devil's Advocate’ (1997) a courtroom drama because the main character is a lawyer. There is 1 boxing match in this film, the outcome of which is largely irrelevant. At least from a plot perspective. In the grand scheme of things it may have some karmic relevance.
‘Jawbone’ follows the later years of a child boxing prodigy who’s life has hit rock bottom due to alcoholism. Unemployed with no family and evicted from a condemned council flat, he returns to the only place of support left; his old boxing gym. We follow Jimmy over the course of a few weeks as he battles addiction, rebuilds bridges and trains for an underdog boxing match.
4 seasoned (that means old) actors make up the cast, putting on flawless performances. Ray Winstone and Ian McShane barely have a few minutes of screen time between them and you may think this is a marketing ploy; blow a large chunk of the budget for some recognisable names to plaster over the artwork. I don’t think so. There are no additional scenes to be added which would make ‘Jawbone’ any better.
The film is mostly shot at night, or inside buildings, making it feel very dark. Shooting locations are minimal but there’s no sense of claustrophobia. More wide angle shots would have been appreciated at times. Not that you would notice with the engaging story and excellent cinematography. These limiting factors have the benefit of keeping costs down, allowing for higher profile actors to play bit roles.
My only criticism is that the events leading up to Jimmy’s return to boxing are a little haphazard. This is crucial to the start of his recovery and could have used a better defined trigger point. His motivation is never explained, but maybe it doesn’t need to be. That’s the manic nature of an addict?
There’s misery, loss and little happiness to be found here. ‘Jawbone’ is not an uplifting, laughable Hollywood feel good film. Viewers won’t be deafened by ethnic banging during training sessions and neck breaking jump cuts when walking down streets. This is real. This is British.
A solid film with a message lost on the Americanised idiot generation who think every problem can be solved in 90 minutes. There is no quick fix to anything, especially a crippling physical and psychological dependency.
Overview
Genre(s): Drama, Boxing
Location(s): London
Writer(s): Johnny Harris
Director(s): Thomas Napper
Main Actor(s):
‘Johnny Harris’ as ‘Jimmy McCabe’
‘Ray Winstone’ as ‘William Carney (Bill)’
‘Michael Smiley’ as ‘Eddie’
‘Ian McShane’ as ‘Joe Padgett’
Official Synopsis:
“Jawbone is the story of a former youth boxing champion, fighting back after decades out of the ring. Jummy McCabe (Johnny Harris) is a man in search of hope but looking in all the wrong places. When he hits rock bottom he turns to his childhood boxing club and the only family he has left; gym owner (Ray Winstone), cornerman Eddie (Michael Smiley) and promoter Joe (Ian McShane). Back in training, years after anyone thought he was a contender, he will risk his life to stand tall and to regain his place in the world.”
Box Art:
In More Detail (no major spoilers)
No major spoilers here, but film structure and plot is analysed in detail. If in doubt, just watch the film.
The film is dedicated in loving memory to:
Christopher Collins. The only boxing reference to whom I could find was a retired boxer from Grenada.
and
Mick Carney MBE. Legendary boxer, trainer and coach.
I’m always weary of movies which start with a quote and a Bible quote is a big red flag. True religious movies I’ve seen, almost entirely Christmas themed, creatively weave their message in to the narrative. They don’t start with a wall of text.
‘Jawbone’ opens with:
Vanquished by a sorry jawbone.
The victory was not in the arm
Not in the weapon
But in the spirit.- Book of Judges
It’s not preachy, more a subtle reminder that Alcoholics Anonymous has strong religious ties. Attendees to such meetings are brainwashed to accept that they aren’t in control, a higher power is at work and they need to surrender. Nonsense. Especially when applied to boxing where surrendering will likely get you killed.
The film starts out well but could have been better. Within the space of a few minutes were swiftly dragged through numerous pity inducing scenes, all to set up a reason for visiting the gym. The scenario isn’t bad but, in retrospective, feels unnaturally forced. I would liked to have seen more of Jimmy’s daily routine. Maybe some flashbacks as to what led his life to fall apart. It could have just been alcohol?
So we’re left with the question of why would Jimmy return to the gym? It’s not complicated. He had nowhere else to go, needed help and the UK government don’t give a fuck about single white men. It’s the most minor of niggles in a great film.
We follow Jimmy for most of the film as he battle addiction, homelessness and trains for a return to boxing. Of course there are ancillary events which happen along the way. All falling under the spoilers category. Which leads us too the obvious question of does Jimmy win the match? It doesn’t matter. If he wins does that mean he’s conquered addiction and relapsed if he loses? Viewers aren’t left in limbo theorising. The final couple of scenes will tell.
I only just realised something; there are no women in ‘Jawbone’. Of course there are female extras, but none contribute any significant dialog. They’re not missed either. The story primarily revolves around 4 white guys. Maybe 5 if you include the fight.
Why would a woman have anything to do with a boxing gym, based in London overrun with ethnic animals? Adding a female ex-lover would have been an easy way to insert drama. Instead focus is held on the most important person; the addict.
Reminder that this is a British film which tells a story. Not a Hollywood noncing, low IQ, deranged brainwashing message of d… d… d… diversity!
Overall the story feels very short. I’ve watched it a few times and had to double check the run time was over an hour. It flies by. That’s a compliment to everyone involved, I guess. There are emotional ups and downs, but from a narrative perspective it’s a smooth ride.
If you’re looking for some infantile ‘Rocky’ (1976) level Hollywood clown-show, this is not for you. ‘Jawbone’ isn’t grandiose. Jimmy isn’t superhuman. There’s no “AMERIIIIICAAAA!” moment. Explosions and chases are substituted with a well structured redemption story and a heartfelt message at the end.
Don’t Read This Section!
I’m not covering the entire movie and taking away potential earnings. This is an area for parts of the review which may ruin the viewing experience, not for disclosing every plot point.
Was Joe Looking Out for Jimmy?
Jimmy had a meeting with Joe and accepted an unlicenced fight offer. Jimmy asked the fight to be kept secret from Bill, as unlicenced fights are frowned upon. It was only a £2,500 maximum payout. Sounds like a lot for 1 evening, but that barely lasts a couple of months in a place like London. The fight itself likely meant more than the cash.
The next time we see Jimmy at the gym, Bill puts him in a sparing match for the first time and pushes him hard. Did Joe tell Bill about the fight or did the news trickle down as such things always do? Bill later reveals he knows about the fight, but the sparing session infers he knew of it almost immediately.
We don’t know the history between Joe and Bill, however the reputation of these people is built on their word. If Joe said he wouldn’t tell Bill, it must have been word of mouth. Jimmy must have known this would happen and it could have led to him being kicked out of the gym. Perhaps Bill hoped that saving Jimmy would be one of the last good things he did before passing.
Jimmy Vs. Eddie
The shouting match between Jimmy and Eddie is probably my favourite scene. 2 tough guys going through tough times, arguing over nothing. It would be so easy to write the scene with grotesquely inappropriate, prepubescent, Ryan Reynolds hipster slang. Most films would do just for the shock value.
Not here. We’re treated to repeated insults of “You’re boring!”. Sounds lame, however the delivery and cinematography are exceptional. The camera angles jump around, there are a mixture of shots, the actors are placed perfectly and know precisely where to look. It’s infuriating how these smaller movies are so well put together, yet are overshadowed by idiot driven copy-paste crap like <insert Marvel movie here>.
After the argument, Jimmy heads back to a bottle of alcohol he hid by the river. Why doesn’t he drink it? Perhaps Jimmy was using alcohol to escape reality and the argument with Eddie forced him to confront it? Could his respect for Bill and the second chance he’s been given, be enough to overpower his addiction and this was the turning point?
The Message
The ending of the film was a surprise. I expected it to finish after the boxing match, forgetting that this isn’t some Hollywood nonsense.
Jimmy’s introduction at the AA meeting was a great way to end a great movie.
