Is it worth mentioning that the three lead actors are British? Probably not because most people won't notice, they're pretty good actors. Charlie Hunnam (King Arthur) is older brother Stanley who "looks after" younger brother Jack O'Connell (Unbroken) playing Walter who is a skilled fighter. The phrase "if not for bad luck they'd have no luck at all" applies directly to these guys. Their dire situation expectedly leads to spiraling poorer choices which indebt them to a loan-shark who makes them an offer they can't refuse. Thus begins their road trip to a big fight with a big payday... The catch? They have to take Sky (Jessica Barden of Hanna) along with them.
Viewers expecting another Warrior or The fighter will be disappointed... This is more a drama. There is a bit of action thrown in to keep fight fans happy, but the film is about the complexities of family relationships, the struggle to realize one's dreams, the hopelessness of failure and redemption of the spirit.
The actors suck you into their world and drag you along the seedy and grimy sidewalks of their life. The camera work is very clean, the scenery spans from gritty to beautiful, and the score is always appropriate, but this is a character driven film, and done well.
67 Reviews
Really touching and emotional experience of two brothers with barely anything on a rocky journey of actualisation
ephraima11 November 2020
I don't really know what else to say. This film was a really touching experience watching two brothers struggle to make a dream in order to have something in life. But in the process, perhaps becoming misguided and lost in the journey. Charlie and Jack really do a great job of conveying these conflictions and emotions on screen and you can't help but yearn for their ambitions to work out too. I'd recommend.
Simple story, beautifully told
prask-653966 February 2022
Really good movie
BongoJustice5 December 2020
Eh, meh.
Top_Dawg_Critic27 January 2021
Although Max Winkler's directing was decent, his story was slow, depressing, unsatisfying, and basically the story of every person who wasn't raised with a silver spoon. So you'll get nothing out of this except for a reality check on the lemons of life. I just wish the story had more punch than what the fists were giving. There were flaws, plot and technical issues in the screenplay. The 90 min runtime felt almost 3 hours long with the slow pacing. Performances however where outstanding, and the cinematography and score on point. It's a generous 7/10 from me.
Not bad but not good!
Mokhtaryassen18 November 2020
Dream Baby Dream
ferguson-69 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Greetings again from the darkness. We've rarely seen more improvement from an actor than what we've witnessed on screen from Charlie Hunnam in his nearly 25 year career. His work was particularly strong in James Gray's LOST CITY OF Z (2017), and he builds on that here as the older brother filled with dreams of a better life. Writer-director Max Winkler (FLOWER, 2017, and son of Henry) co-wrote the script with Theodore Bressman and David Branson Smith (INGRID GOES WEST, 2017), and while it has a 'seen this before' vibe, we remain engaged throughout.
Hunnam stars as Stanley, the visionary who manages the underground boxing career of his brother Lion (Jack O'Connell, UNBROKEN, 2014). Lion is quiet and reserved, while Stanley thinks talking is the key to life. We don't get the full back story on the brothers, but enough to know that Stanley has made an endless stream of bad decisions that have left the brothers squatting in a deserted foreclosed house in Massachusetts that requires them to sneak in and out of windows for access. Preaching a belief in "fate", Stanley gushes about their future, which he envisions as a beautiful house in California and tailored Italian clothes.
In a scene that we assume has occurred numerous times, Stanley finds himself unable to pay the $2000 he owes his crime boss Pepper, played by Jonathan Majors. Rather than kill Stanley, Pepper offers him the kind of deal that seems too good to be true. All the Kaminsky brothers have to do is drive Sky (Jessica Barden) across the country to Reno, where they are to deliver her to Yates (John Cullum). At this point, we only know enough about Yates to understand that he's not an upstanding citizen. If the brothers manage to execute this "simple" task, Pepper will ensure that Lion is added to the list of fighters of "Jungleland", a bare-knuckles, no-holds-barred fight in San Francisco where the Grand Prize is $100,000. Stanley sees this as a much better alternative than being killed, and Lion agrees to go along with the plan.
What follows is a road trip with the Kaminsky brothers, their Whippet dog Ash, and Sky, the mysterious young lady whose minimal dialogue masks intentions that don't necessarily mesh with the mission of trip. On the road, Stanley makes a few more less-than-brilliant decisions, while Lion and Sky bond ... or do they? Regardless, things get challenging and obstacles appear everywhere. Once Yates appears, it's a joy to behold 90 year old Jack Cullum ("Northern Exposure") as he tears into the role of tough guy.
Mr. Winkler's film actually has very little fighting in it, especially when compared to Gavin O'Connor's outstanding 2011 film, WARRIOR. Instead, this is about brotherly love and the ties that bind (although so was O'Connor's film). Surprisingly, the soundtrack features Bruce Springsteen singing "Dream Baby Dream", and we do learn how to dress a knife wound with duct tape.
Hunnam stars as Stanley, the visionary who manages the underground boxing career of his brother Lion (Jack O'Connell, UNBROKEN, 2014). Lion is quiet and reserved, while Stanley thinks talking is the key to life. We don't get the full back story on the brothers, but enough to know that Stanley has made an endless stream of bad decisions that have left the brothers squatting in a deserted foreclosed house in Massachusetts that requires them to sneak in and out of windows for access. Preaching a belief in "fate", Stanley gushes about their future, which he envisions as a beautiful house in California and tailored Italian clothes.
In a scene that we assume has occurred numerous times, Stanley finds himself unable to pay the $2000 he owes his crime boss Pepper, played by Jonathan Majors. Rather than kill Stanley, Pepper offers him the kind of deal that seems too good to be true. All the Kaminsky brothers have to do is drive Sky (Jessica Barden) across the country to Reno, where they are to deliver her to Yates (John Cullum). At this point, we only know enough about Yates to understand that he's not an upstanding citizen. If the brothers manage to execute this "simple" task, Pepper will ensure that Lion is added to the list of fighters of "Jungleland", a bare-knuckles, no-holds-barred fight in San Francisco where the Grand Prize is $100,000. Stanley sees this as a much better alternative than being killed, and Lion agrees to go along with the plan.
What follows is a road trip with the Kaminsky brothers, their Whippet dog Ash, and Sky, the mysterious young lady whose minimal dialogue masks intentions that don't necessarily mesh with the mission of trip. On the road, Stanley makes a few more less-than-brilliant decisions, while Lion and Sky bond ... or do they? Regardless, things get challenging and obstacles appear everywhere. Once Yates appears, it's a joy to behold 90 year old Jack Cullum ("Northern Exposure") as he tears into the role of tough guy.
Mr. Winkler's film actually has very little fighting in it, especially when compared to Gavin O'Connor's outstanding 2011 film, WARRIOR. Instead, this is about brotherly love and the ties that bind (although so was O'Connor's film). Surprisingly, the soundtrack features Bruce Springsteen singing "Dream Baby Dream", and we do learn how to dress a knife wound with duct tape.
Watched for Hunnam, stayed for the performance
harrattanp15 June 2021
I had an original rating of 6/10 but bumped it up to 7/10. Charlie Hunnam is one of my favourite actors, so when I saw that he was in this film it caught my attention. What made me stay was the performance of the cast as well as the cinematography. There were some scenes that just kept me watching.
Good drama
calicut11026 August 2021
Not bad
bgar-8093229 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This starts off as kind of like the typical cliche down on his luck fighter trying to make something of himself with a user of a brother. They love each other though and it shows clearly throughout although the older brother keeps getting them in more and more trouble. He winds up agreeing to escort a girl they don't know to a different state for reasons they don't know. The acting is great. O'Connor in particular is a great actor. The story kind of drags though and doesn't blow you away. The end kind of makes up for it though and the brother finally does the right thing which is a touching moment. I'd say it's worth a watch. It clearly feels like an indie the whole time though and you have to get through the middle which is a little dull.
Emotional bond between two brothers but falls flat in a dull drama.
cruise0112 January 2021
2.5 out of 5 stars.
Jungleland is a pretty bad drama about two brothers played by Charlie Hunnam and Jack O Connell. One fights and the other is coaching and supportive by his side. But has debts that a mobster is after. But is willing to stake a big fight for the brother to enter. While they take a girl with them to that state.
The plot is decent. But the direction is dull and tedious. Its flat with the dramatic scenes.
The cast performances is great. The music score is dull. It is one film that is quite forgettable.
Jungleland is a pretty bad drama about two brothers played by Charlie Hunnam and Jack O Connell. One fights and the other is coaching and supportive by his side. But has debts that a mobster is after. But is willing to stake a big fight for the brother to enter. While they take a girl with them to that state.
The plot is decent. But the direction is dull and tedious. Its flat with the dramatic scenes.
The cast performances is great. The music score is dull. It is one film that is quite forgettable.
A movie worth your time.
ronanl381914 November 2020
I don't usually write reviews but after seeing the criminally underscored rating, I decided to.
In short, this film had me drawn in with the talent, hooked with the plot, invested in the characters and satisfied with the ending. A pleasure to see O'Connell, Hunnam and Jessica Barden give stellar performances side by side in beautiful cinematography.
A solid drama.
SnobReviews18 November 2020
Gritty, captivating and well acted; "Jungleland"oversees conventional flaws and brings character to the screen.
In this drama, two brothers try to escape their circumstances by travelling across the country for a boxing match that becomes a fight for their lives.
A real treat for those into a solid sports and crime drama; "Jungleland" is a surprisingly decent character study with Charlie Hunnam at the forefront of the stellar performances. Director Max Winkler captures a dark and raw essence throughout with an ending you'll never see coming. A thoroughly satisfying drama.
Follow @snobmedia for all reviews!
In this drama, two brothers try to escape their circumstances by travelling across the country for a boxing match that becomes a fight for their lives.
A real treat for those into a solid sports and crime drama; "Jungleland" is a surprisingly decent character study with Charlie Hunnam at the forefront of the stellar performances. Director Max Winkler captures a dark and raw essence throughout with an ending you'll never see coming. A thoroughly satisfying drama.
Follow @snobmedia for all reviews!
Almost had it
nahidbasit16 November 2020
good potential, great performance by Hunnam, ruined by predictable girl character
jdring200728 June 2021
First thirty minutes showed a lot of promise for an entertaining, engaging drama. Then they introduced the girl, who had trouble written all over her. Yay, a babysitting movie. But it gets worse. She can "take care of herself," has a major attitude, and is extremely deceitful. Surprise! The oldest cliches in the book are put into play, exacerbated by the fact that one of the main characters falls for every one. The little thrills here and there make up for it, or try to, and Hunnam's excellent performance saves this from a 5 for me, especially given the mediocre ending.
The Bruce Springsteen song
bluebirdstreet4 January 2021
A great film very well acted. Nothing to do with the awesome Springsteen song of the same name, however the Springsteen song right at the end was a perfect song for a very good, although a bit of a sad film.
Well worth watching.
It could've been great
Ishmael_2225 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The 2 main characters in Stanley (Charlie Hunnam) and Walter (Jack O'Connell) get derailed by a selfish, annoying little brat named Sky (Jessica Barden) who always plays the some old character who only causes hurt and destruction for everyone else e.g., The End of the F***ing World.
This could've been a solid film about the struggles of 2 brothers trying to make it in the world but instead got highjacked by a subplot about some old millionaire named Yates (John Cullum) who traffics women from state to state. He gets Sky pregnant, she escapes, gets caught by the gangster Pepper (Jonathan Majors) who pushes her off to the brothers because they owe him money. They get tasked with delivering her back to Yates which causes their relationship to breakdown and gets them into worse and worse situations. It's a subplot that heavily distracts from the main plot and ruins the story IMO.
This could've been a solid film about the struggles of 2 brothers trying to make it in the world but instead got highjacked by a subplot about some old millionaire named Yates (John Cullum) who traffics women from state to state. He gets Sky pregnant, she escapes, gets caught by the gangster Pepper (Jonathan Majors) who pushes her off to the brothers because they owe him money. They get tasked with delivering her back to Yates which causes their relationship to breakdown and gets them into worse and worse situations. It's a subplot that heavily distracts from the main plot and ruins the story IMO.
dumb brothers frustration
SnoopyStyle23 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Brothers Stanley (Charlie Hunnam) and Walter 'Lion' Kaminski (Jack O'Connell) struggle to survive by breaking into homes and buildings in the northeast. Lion does underground bare knuckle boxing after a failed boxing career. Stanley gets into money trouble with Pepper who coerces the brothers to transport Sky (Jessica Barden) to scary Yates in Reno on their way to a big Jungleland fight in San Francisco.
I mostly like this movie and these characters except they keep doing stupid stuff. I don't actually buy Pepper handing Sky over to the brothers. If Yates is as scary as that, Pepper would still be held responsible. It's much safer to do it himself although it could be considered human trafficking. I don't think Sky is a minor so that's a plus. Handing her over to the brothers is asking for trouble. As for the brothers, they are not asking enough questions. Their fight is like arguing about the deckchairs while the Titanic is sinking. It's a bit besides the point. These characters don't make sense. The last act is full of questionable dumb things being done by the brothers which can only be excused by them being frustratingly dumb. It's frustrating to watch character that you root for doing dumb stuff. Otherwise, these are good actors doing compelling characters.
I mostly like this movie and these characters except they keep doing stupid stuff. I don't actually buy Pepper handing Sky over to the brothers. If Yates is as scary as that, Pepper would still be held responsible. It's much safer to do it himself although it could be considered human trafficking. I don't think Sky is a minor so that's a plus. Handing her over to the brothers is asking for trouble. As for the brothers, they are not asking enough questions. Their fight is like arguing about the deckchairs while the Titanic is sinking. It's a bit besides the point. These characters don't make sense. The last act is full of questionable dumb things being done by the brothers which can only be excused by them being frustratingly dumb. It's frustrating to watch character that you root for doing dumb stuff. Otherwise, these are good actors doing compelling characters.
English actors?
danlappin-4577312 November 2020
Its great, i just dont get why you get english actors to play an american movie, i know they are better, but nonetheless surely make more sense to have yanks play those roles? Be better if set in england with these actors
Utb
Some basic things about properties owned by banks
MovieIQTest13 November 2020
The water and the electricity would be cut off until the bank owned property finally got a buyer. The bank will not waste money on utility bills, yet these two guys squatted in a fore-closure bank owned house with water and electricity, even with pretty good mattresses beds, and even a iron to press their shirts? Taking showers? Jesus, are you guys really that stupid without the least common sense? Charlie Hunnam's role is so exaggerated and so annoying all the time. He just used his brother to make some pathetic money and bet on him to win with blood and wounds.
This is NOT a good movie, not even close to Charles Bronson's 1975 "Hard Time". But time really flying fast, Charlie Hunnan got white beard now.
English actors playing an American movie
plasmaindie13 November 2020
Wasted potential
leemeldrum11 November 2020
Quick and easy review, the cast were great, exactly like you would expect, I really like the way it looked and the score too, reminded me a bit of films like The Wrestler. The let down for me and the only reason I couldn't score this over a 5 was the story. I mean it isn't bad, we've seen it before done better and we'll see it again done worse. With this one it just feels a little too contrived and easy, add in the money Involved (this is the 2020s not the 1970s!) and it just leaves it feeling like there isn't much at stake.
Is it a waste of time? Yes. but if you want to waste some time watching the cast you already know are great then give it a watch
Where are my C town boys at?
ricky_dry_county18 January 2021
Watched it on a whim since comedian Nick Mullen had a stupid two minute role and going by the trailer, I reckoned it had something concrete. It just blew me away. Charlie Hunnam's chops are Christian Bale (The Fighter) level here, minus the weight loss. The two younger characters are extremely well cast. If you liked "Warriors" , this is reminiscent of that film although on a smaller budget and non existent fanfare. The sentiments run high, carried along magnificently by that haunting soundtrack. When The Boss croons to signal the finale, you're gonna be all in!
6.5
carlgarethnorton16 January 2021
I thought this was a good drama and tired but decent story.
I thought the ending was a little uninspiring which is why I down graded half a star
I thought the acting was great though, Charlie Hunnam was believable one of his better roles in my opinion.
I thought the ending was a little uninspiring which is why I down graded half a star
I thought the acting was great though, Charlie Hunnam was believable one of his better roles in my opinion.
This movie made me feel depressed and disappointed!
freddy_at_home28 November 2020
Keeping it short. I had high hopes for this one, but so glad I did not have to see it at the cinema. What a depressing and sucky movie. Some might say it's so "deep and beautiful" well, I say bull*hit! This was just a waste of time, even with a pandemic outside. Boring and gave me nothing but a bad mood.
Honest opinion, I feel a 4/10 is being generous
Honest opinion, I feel a 4/10 is being generous
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