Jawbone (2017)

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.

Director:

Thomas Napper

Writer:

Johnny Harris

Stars:

Ian McShane, Ray Winstone, Michael Smiley

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win & 10 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Ian McShane	...	Joe Padgett
Ray Winstone	...	William Carney
Michael Smiley	...	Eddie
Johnny Harris	...	Jimmy McCabe
Luke J I Smith	...	Damian (as Luke J.I. Smith)
Anna Wilson-Hall	...	Mary
Kirstie Shannon	...	Boxing Ring Spectator
Haqi Ali	...	Passerby
Ernest Vernon	...	Funeral Mourner
Lee Latham	...	Boxing Ring Spectator
Neil Bradley	...	Newcomer Michael
David Cronin	...	Funeral mourner
Jon Pegg	...	Jimmy's Cornerman
James Cartwright	...	Boxing Ring Spectator
Katie Mckernan	...	Boxing supporter

Storyline

A former youth boxing champion, Jimmy 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 Bill corner man Eddie and promoter Joe. Back in training, years after anyone thought he was a contender, he risks his life, as he tries to stand tall and regain his place in the world.

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Plot Keywords:

alcoholic | boxing | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes the hardest fight is with yourself

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language throughout

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 May 2017 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Ballad of Jimmy McCabe

Filming Locations:

Stoke on Trent, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

EMU Films,Revolution Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Johnny Harris started acting at his local Union Street Theatre; this gives its name to the fictional Union Street Boxing club.

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Connections

Featured in The EE British Academy Film Awards (2018)

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Soundtracks

Bottle
Written and performed by Paul Weller
(p) 2017 Solid Bond Productions Limited under exclusive license to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group company

User Reviews

A no nonsense film that hits all the marks!

The story of a man down on his luck is as familiar as it gets. Boxing as a metaphor for human struggle and inner conflict is also very much tried and tested. So for star and writer of this redemption tale, Johnny Harris, to come up with something so endearingly heartfelt is a testament to the mans talent and ability.

I never write about a films plot, I only like to convey a sense of what the experience provided etc. This film will make you feel something; empathy, sadness, hope, pity - all the ingredients of a rock bottom and up film.

Yes, it's a boxing film. But that shouldn't deter viewers who don't enjoy the pugilistic genre or sport itself. This is a brilliantly written, produced and acted film that focuses on one man's incredibly bleak prospects and overcoming the insurmountable he has created for himself. A man who is proud yet lacking dignity and how he turns to the only vestige he knows in order to claw it back.

This is a no nonsense film that ticks every box you could hope for in an indie flick. Expertly directed by Thomas Napper it manages to avoid all the many tropes and hackneyed marks that most boxing films run into and leaves you feeling privileged to have seen it.