Jawbone

CinemaSerf

May 14, 2026 · via TMDB

★ 6.0

"McCabe" (Johnny Harris) is a former ABA junior champion, but he's lost his way in the intervening years and so now down on his luck, he turns up at the gym of his old mentor "Bill" (Ray Winstone) looking to get back into shape and into the ring. Reluctantly, and with conditions, "Bill" agrees - but "McCabe" needs a couple of grand now so approaches his shady old friend "Padgett" (Ian McShane) for a steak, a float and an opportunity to make some quick cash. That might be possible if he is prepared to head to northern England to be a punch bag for an up-and-coming fighter, but it's an unlicenced scrap and he might well get himself hurt. To take this on would breach the promises he made to "Bill", but given that he is now using a broken window to enter his gym late at night for somewhere to sleep, his options appear limited. Just to add to his woes, it turns out from gym manager "Eddie" (Michael Smiley) that "Bill" has bigger problems than his errant protégè to worry about and these might just put a different, perhaps more motivational, slant on "McCabe" and his attitude to life? This is fine so far as it goes, but nothing about it is especially original. Since the early days of cinema we have seen movies about down at heel characters who use boxing as a route out of despair. People who would happily aspire to rock bottom - it would be an improvement on their current situation; but here I didn't really feel much sympathy for "McCabe". His wasn't a story of an hopeless urchin desperate to use his fists to earn his freedom from poverty; this is man who is as much the architect of his own predicament as any external factors - a fact obvious as we observe the equally predicable characterisations of "Bill" and "Eddie" and their disappointment with the life choices he has made. It does try to shine a light on an unforgiving societal underworld in the hope of engendering some pity for "McCabe" but I just didn't think enough of Harris's performance to really care as it headed towards it's fairly predictable denouement. Some of the boxing photography looks authentic, especially at the end, but otherwise this doesn't really break any new ground.

Reno

Sep 26, 2017 · via TMDB

★ 6.0

**He wants to return to his glory days!** Another boxing film and this time its from Britain. Seems a small scale film. Most part of the film was a drama. But the entire final act was the event what everyone had waited for. Like any boxing film, it had the same story that a struggling boxer wants to get back to his professional position and he's intended to do anything for it. The pre-developments were a perfect setting for the what comes in the latter. More than that, a fine base laid for a sequel. This film was average, to me, but its open ending could take it to an even better level in his next. Because of the platform, it could become a small 'Rocky' series, if the filmmakers are willing to go that length. Besides, the title name was an ideal one for such sport. An ex-boxing sensation seeks his return to the ring after losing everything in the life. Recovering from alcoholic, the age is not on his side to get his glory back. No one is supportive. All he has is his firm mindset. But can he do it, especially the professional level challenge is being far fetched, what are all his other options and how far he would go are the remaining story to tell us. An okay film for a first time director. The cast looked okay too, and so the screenplay, even though built from a very familiar background. It tried its best to get the viewers sympathically with its main character. But not everyone gets that emotional appeal as he struggles. Particularly the final fight was guessable its direction. So not much impressive as it should have been, as there are great numbers of boxing films coming out every year. Just one time watchable film, otherwise not necessarily need to be watched, even if you love boxing. _6/10_