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)
Haqi Ali	...	Passerby
Jon Pegg	...	Jimmy's Cornerman
Anna Wilson-Hall	...	Mary
Ernest Vernon	...	Funeral Mourner
Kirstie Shannon	...	Boxing Ring Spectator
Lee Latham	...	Boxing Ring Spectator
Katie Mckernan	...	Boxing supporter
James Cartwright	...	Boxing Ring Spectator
David Cronin	...	Funeral mourner
Neil Bradley	...	Newcomer Michael

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

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$33,919

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

Jimmy / Blackout
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

Unexpected

Unexpectedly good boxing/addiction movie considering the amount of Hollywood and European movies produced in the last 50 years.

It's hard to explore new territories, and not using the usual clichés most boxing films rely on. Jawbone doesn't innovate or bring new concepts here, but the execution is great.

Acting is very good, supporting cast does a good job, Johnny Harris is an actor that can communicate without the use overacting, which is rare nowadays.

The cinematography is beautiful sometimes, has that independent flick vibe. There are some closeup shots and some details that look great (one takes places at night, in the gym, where you can see the steam of the body heat that rises).

Some say it has no point, it does not prove anything ... I'd say otherwise, it's an episode in someone's life, and much like in reality, the end doesn't have to be always very meaningful and reach a climax.

It felt like an honest movie, depicting reality, hopelessness without using the motivation clichés that will make some feel good in the end.

Highly recommended, for boxing fans and anti mainstream cinema fans.