There’s something familiar about the structure of Jawbone, but it doesn’t make this film any less brilliant.
Former youth boxing champion Jimmy McCabe, after hitting rock bottom, returns to his childhood boxing club and his old team, gym owner Bill and corner-man Eddie.
After a May release in the UK Jawbone finally hits Australian cinemas in the British Film Festival. The film has a much sought after 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and they could not be more right. Johnny Harris gives an exceptional performance as Jimmy, highlighting every nuance of his brilliantly written character. Harris wrote the script and his understanding of people and what makes them tick brings amazing insight to the piece. Thomas Napper’s skilled directorial hand makes the piece flow. The score is beautiful and the cinematography perfect. The piece relies on a tight ensemble and every actor feeds off each other with sublime attention to detail. Ian McShane is equally as brilliant, as Harris but gets less to do overall. Michael Smiley and Ray Winstone round out the cast in supporting roles, both are brilliant.
Boxing movies are common, most rely on an underdog, but this is something special. A film like this with its spectacular lighting and overall dark tone relies on people.
Overall one of the best boxing films ever and certainly a cinematic highlight for 2017.
5 Stars
Review by Benjamin Maio Mackay
Screening courtesy of Picture This!