A former youth boxing champion, Jimmy McCabe 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.
Acting
Johnny Harris carries the entire film on his battered shoulders
Cinematography
Bleak Luton locations that feel like another character
Direction
Napper's debut pulls zero punches in authenticity
Director
Thomas Napper
Johnny Harris
Jimmy McCabe
Ian McShane
Joe Padgett
Ray Winstone
William Carney
Michael Smiley
Eddie
Luke J.I. Smith
Damian
Anna Wilson-Hall
Mary
Jermaine Allen
Boxing Ring Spectator
Archie Cocker
Boxing Ring Spectator
Stacey Lynn Crowe
Boxers Wife
Marilyn May James
Boxing Ring Spectator
Atul Sharma
Boxing Ring Spectator
Rayn Khan
Boxing Ring Spectator (uncredited)
Simon Manyonda
Housing Officer
Nick Preston
Security Guard
Jackie Clune
Manager
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Johnny Harris wrote the screenplay based on his own struggles with addiction and boxing experience, making this essentially autobiographical fiction.
Part of a mini-wave of 2010s British 'anti-triumph' sports films like Tyrannosaur and Fish Tank, rejecting Hollywood's underdog formula.
GB
