Salvable

Salvable knocks you out like a good boxer would. Obviously, this isn't a movie about boxing. Our main character does fight people in the ring, but more than that, he fights life and his circumstances. This film powerfully conveys a mood-one of sadness, of tough odds, of hopelessness. And you'll feel all of that: through the music, the gritty, rundown locations, the grimy, raw coastal weather-and most of all through the characters, especially in a layered lead performance by Toby Kebbell.

Sal is the underdog in the story-and this movie, too, started out as an underdog, but turned into a great watch.

Is it a hit or a knockout blow?

Salvable tells the story of Sal (Toby Kebbell), an ex-boxer who has hit on hard times following his last loss in the ring. Whilst continuing to train with grizzly boxing coach Welly (James Cosmo), Sal struggles to keep motivated with his care home job and creates more tensions with his ex-wife when trying to get custody of his daughter.

This get even more tense when his old friend Vince (Shia LaBeouf) turns up after 14 years in jail and begins to rope Sal into the world of underground illegal bareknuckle fighting. Once Sal sees the lucrative draw of the scene, can he keep himself grounded enough to keep life in order or will he spiral out of control even more with the temptation of glory?

Salvable has all the hallmarks of a story we've seen a million times: The underdog, the down-on-his-luck-ex-fighter, the troubled family life, the redemption arc. It would have been easy for this to be a film with an 80's power-ballad training montage and an "ultimate victory" moment, however, the film steers away from being a Hollywood crowd pleaser, and maintains it's gritty bleakness throughout.

Toby Kebbell's performance as Sal is fantastic. He is believable throughout whether it be the boxing training scenes or the plight of the underachieving father. He can say a lot without actually saying it. His mannerisms and tone of delivery does a lot of the work for him, the sign of a truly great actor.

Then there's Shia LaBoeuf. In the first moment he's on screen and you realise he's doing a strong Irish accent, you realise that this is a strong performance from the actor. He's authentic and really well put together.

I went into Salvable not expecting to be blown away but I really enjoyed the performances, the story and the setting. This film was made by someone who wanted to show an authentic look at life rather than a glamorous redemption story.

Classic story about people with no money, broken homes, broken families, broken psyche, low morality, low intelligence, crime etc.

There is the boxing element to it, but this isn't a boxing movie, it's a drama.

It's well acted, Shia Lebouf is a minor character nice to see him taking some interesting roles, hope he gets back to the mainstream soon.

The acting and cinematography and everything makes this very realistic feeling. Like it's a true story.

Life sometimes breaks a man, and his best just isn't good enough, and there are few helping hands. Is it possible to break away from the grips of fate?

In moody blue-collar Brit drama "Salvable" Toby Kebbell (terrific under-rated actor) struggles in his small depressed town to balance his care assistant job, fading nonentitive boxing career (under coach James Cosmo), and relationship with ex-wife Elaine Cassidy & their teen Kíla Lord Cassidy (Elaine's actual daughter)... then old small-time crim pal Shia LaBeouf (with weird accent & goons inc Michael Socha) offers an alternative path. For their debut, co-directors Bjorn Franklin (with his debut screenplay) & Johnny Marchetta forgo 'feel-good' for authentic gloom, but too much so. For similar themes with superior balance opt instead for "Calm With Horses".

Caught this by accident as saw the trailer and figured it'd be the usual ex-boxer down on his luck story. But it surprised me. Some real moments in there that got under my skin, especially the stuff with his daughter. I've got two kids myself and one's a teenage girl, so yeah, that part hit home. Toby Kebbell plays it quiet but strong, nothing showy, just real. Reminded me that trying to fix things with your kids doesn't always come with big speeches, just showing up and being there when it counts. It's not perfect, but it's honest and hits you when you're not expecting it. Worth the watch for sure.