The Original Movie: The life and times of middleweight boxer Jake LaMotta (Robert De Niro), whose undeniable in-ring prowess is coloured by his controversial personal life, namely his fiery temper, which frequently causes him to fall foul of his family, from whom he becomes increasingly estranged. The Ripoff: Billy Hope (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a boxer who announces his retirement in order to spend more time with his family, but when his wife Maureen (Rachel McAdams) is murdered and his young daughter is taken away after a bout of drug abuse, he returns to the ring with the hope of saving both himself and his family. Granted, it's likely that Southpaw is going to be a little more hopeful than the famously downbeat Raging Bull, but both movies deal with a boxer saddled with overwhelming personal demons and ferocious tempers, as well as a lead actor who has undeniably hurled themselves headlong into their role.
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
