Jungleland

 

Boxing films have been produced aplenty by Hollywood, and while they encumber interesting storylines, they do have a tendency to be rather violent, especially those that have a dramatic effect. Many have been made: "The Champ", "Rocky", "South Paw", "Ali", "Raging Bull", "The Fighter", and while they may be graphic in nature, they certainly carry a quality about them. "Jungleland" definitely holds that similar feeling whereas quality supersedes any possible flaws.

Stanley Kaminski (Charlie Hunnam) and Lion Kaminski (Jack O'Connell) are two brothers struggling to stay relevant in the underground world of bare-knuckle boxing. When Stanley fails to pay back a dangerous crime boss, Pepper (Jonathan Majors), they're forced to deliver an unexpected traveler, Sky (Jessica Barden) as they journey across the country for a high-stakes fighting tournament. While Stanley trains Lion for the fight of his life, a series of events threaten to tear the brothers apart, but their love for one another and belief in a better life keep them going in this gripping drama that proves family pulls no punches.

Others to round out the cast are Fran Kranz as Buck, John Cullum as Yates, Owen Burke as Meadows, Jere Shea as Stepfather McGinty, Margaret Devine as Mother McGinty, Naheem Garcia as Clem, Patrick Walsh as Lefty Denunzio and Johnno Wilson as Reggie.

This was quirkily directed by Max Winkler ("Ceremony" '10, "Flower" '17) plus TV and a short. I say quirky because of the different angles he chose to film this and also with the darkness of filming, it gave it that much grittier feel to the story. He hasn't directed a lot of films, but what he's done, he's excelled. If his style is intriguing to you, his "Our Thing" has been completed. It was written with passion and grit by Theodore B. Bressman (TV and a short), David Branson Smith ("Ingrid Goes West" '17, "Adrift" '18) plus TV, and Winkler ("Ceremony" '10, "Flower" '17, "Magic Camp" '20) plus TV and a short. Certainly between the different writers and their body of work which is eclectic, this storyline, although can seem a bit contrived, was actually a powerful script. As the story starts to unfold, these two brothers obviously have come from some hard knocks, and as the story continues, it doesn't seem to be improving for themselves, but when you accept being a part of an underground 'anything', you have to take what you get. These writers were definitely able to showcase this aspect well. Suffice it to say that these guys are dumped on and even though the ending is basically bittersweet, the writers knew that this story couldn't have been tied up with a nice bow by films' end. The acting by both Hunnam and McConnell were their usual well effective performances one would come to expect from these seasoned pros. 

If boxing or films that involve it intrigue you, you'll love this, however even if it doesn't thrill you, the performances by both Hunnam and McConnell are worth viewing this. This was actually supposed to be released on 11-6-20, but because of the pandemic, it went to DVD, and so I purchased it so as to critique it for you.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                        Rated: R                                              89mins.