Director: Jeff Celentano
Writer: Brandon Espy, Lee Kholafai, Korrina Rico, Michael Testa (Screenplay)
Starring: Lee Kholafai, Korrina Rico, Jon Gries, Jaime Camil, Reynaldo Gallegos, Mark Rolston, Vernon Wels, Steven Williams, Boosie Badazz, Brandon Sklenar
Plot: Glass Jaw is the redemption story of Travis Austin, a one time champion boxer who goes to prison and loses everything. After his release, he experiences the trials and tribulations of redeeming his reputation, his belt, and his true love.
Runtime: 1 Hour 37 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Verdict: Boxing Redemption 101
Story: Glass Jaw starts as we learn about Travis’ rough childhood, where his parents got into financial trouble and abandoned him to be raised through the foster system. This never stop Travis (Kholafai) who went on to be Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion, though tragedy happens at the celebration party as his trainer Eddy’s (Gallegos) daughter dies under his care.
Travis filled with guilt takes the blame and serves time in jail, he loses his house, but his girl Dana (Rico) never leaves his side. Once out Travis must put his life back together, search for a job and reclaim his reputation and title.
Thoughts on Glass Jaw
Characters – Travis Austin has always fought to be a top boxer, from his difficult childhood to the moment he became Light Heavyweight Champion. His life takes an instant turn for the worst when a family friend dies at his party, he takes the blame, loses his title, goes to prison, loses everything, once released he wants to redeem himself and regain everything he has lost. Dana is Travis’s girl, she stays loyal when he is in prison, but her own mistake causes the biggest problem between the two. Sam is the father that left Travis, he has reconnected with him now he is on top, Travis’s doesn’t want him back, but learns he is one of the people he can turn too.
Performances – Lee Kholafai in the leading role gives us a god performance when it comes to any of the boxing and fitness side of the film, when it comes to the serious side of things, he does struggle to reach the levels required to get complete performance. This is a weakness throughout the cast, every is good, but never at the very top that is required to make things a true stand out moments.
Story – The story follows a champion boxer that takes the fall for a crime, who must rebuild his life and reputation once he is released from prison. When it comes to boxing redemption stories, we have seen many different ones over the years, the most recent notable one would be ‘Southpaw’. This story follows the same sort of lines as that one, without any major crime being committed, or any crime being committed by the boxer who must redeem himself. This is the biggest confusion about this movie because it’s not or could never be proven it was his fault for the death. we do get to see how the celebrity status can cause just as many problems in a personal life.
Thriller – The thrilling side of the film happens when we are in the ring, we get to see just how intense the boxing can get.
Settings – The film keeps us in the main settings in the locations you would imagine a boxing film to take place in.
Scene of the Movie – The final match.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – I don’t understand why Travis would need to take any blame for the events of the death.
Final Thoughts – This is a good film for boxing fans to watch, it has the standard redemption story we know and is one that does everything it needs to.
Overall: Boxing Fans to enjoy.
Rating
