After his incredible, bug-eyed turn in Dan Gilroy’s Nightcrawler, the world’s been anxious to see more from Jake Gyllenhaal, certainly one of the more adventurous “leading men” working today. Gyllenhaal transforms himself once again for Antoine Fuqua’s Southpaw, bulking up to play down-and-out boxer Billy Hope. Written by Sons Of Anarchy’s Kurt Sutter, the gritty sports drama also stars Forest Whitaker, Rachel McAdams, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, and Rita Ora. Southpaw opens in theaters everywhere on July 24, but The A.V. Club and The Weinstein Company have an opportunity for you to see it for free on Sunday, July 19. For your chance to win a pair of passes to the advance screening, simply follow the link here and enter your information. As always, seats will be first come, first served, so be sure to arrive early. An official plot synopsis and trailer can be found below.
“From acclaimed director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) and screenwriter Kurt Sutter (Sons Of Anarchy), Southpaw tells the riveting story of Billy “The Great” Hope, reigning Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World (Jake Gyllenhaal). Billy Hope seemingly has it all with an impressive career, a beautiful and loving wife (Rachel McAdams), an adorable daughter (Oona Laurence) and a lavish lifestyle. When tragedy strikes and his lifelong manager and friend (Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson) leaves him behind, Hope hits rock bottom and turns to an unlikely savior at a run-down local gym: Tick Willis (Forest Whitaker), a retired fighter and trainer to the city’s toughest amateur boxers. With his future riding on Tick’s guidance and tenacity, Billy enters the hardest battle of his life as he struggles with redemption and to win back the trust of those he loves.”