Jungleland

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!

I'm not sure how Jungleland managed to go under the radar when it was released a couple of years ago . Perhaps it's because there has been a surge of fighting films in recent years but I'd say that this is a cut above most .

When a devastating loss in the ring leaves Lion and his manager/brother Stan in debt to a local crime boss, they are forced to risk it all in a bare-knuckle boxing tournament as the pair fight for a better life.

I'm not a fan of Charlie Hunnam . Most of his appearances involve a terrible accent or over the top acting . Not this time . Thankfully he just uses his Sons Of Anarchy' voice and he's actually very good as Stan but the stand out performance unsurprisingly is from Jack O'Connell . This is a film where two British actors are absolutely nailing it.

It's a story about family and chasing the dream . One wants to get rich by winning fights the other just wants to settle down and open a laundromat. Sadly the one who wants to win fights isn't the fighter !

I really liked this . It's a bit of a slow burner at times but I was quite happy with that and the ending where they use the Bruce Springsteen song " Dream Baby Dream " is very moving .

I put off watching this because the plot felt underwhelming but if you're a fan of cinema this film was beautifully shot and directed.

Really great cast and characters as well. Loved the pacing of this film.

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.

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.