Rent Journeyman (2017)

Boxed in - Journeyman review by RE

Quite a simple storyline but very effective and dramatic. Some great acting too. Moving in places shocking in others. A Great British film, kept simple and well produced. Definitely one to watch.

A gruelling, emotional but ultimately uplifting film about recovery from a brain injury - Journeyman review by TB

For his next directorial effort after the outstanding Tyrannosaur, Paddy Considine turns his attention to the sports drama, in particular the boxing genre. This is an extremely brave & bold thing to do. Not only is this an unbelievably bloated genre with more films set in it trying to tell pretty much the same story than probably any other genre combined, but the numbers of these films which are actually good is relatively tiny. But one of the best things about Journeyman is the fact that the boxing is used as the initial set-up, but then the main section uses only the metaphor of the fight required to recover. 

The set-up is fairly standard, although with one important difference: whereas in many films like this, the fighter needs the fight due to their personal circumstances, in Journeyman this is the final fight to finish a glittering career. Retirement beckons and the life of spending time with family and raising children is close. Matty Burton is Middleweight boxing champion of the world, on his final fight against the up-and-coming cocky young upstart. Despite significant & severe punishment in the bout, Matty wins and keeps his belt, retiring on what appears to be a high. However, he has suffered horrific & traumatic brain injuries and collapses that night, needing emergency brain surgery to save his life. 

When he returns home, he is a very different man, dealing with all the complications of a traumatic brain injury. The film shows this in unflinching detail and it is at times excruciating to watch. You really get a front row seat to this hell, as well as the small triumphs that happen with the work that Matty puts in to his recovery. There are many heartfelt scenes, particularly after it gets all too much for his wife Emma. But the rallying round of his teammates and family is also incredible as well. 

Both Considine & Whittaker are great, sharing an easy and effortless chemistry. The early scenes of them bonding, considering that there is very little time to do this before the story properly starts, are powerful & grounding. I did love spending time with them both , plus really felt their pain as the film progresses. 

This is a very difficult drama to watch, but there is hope if you hang on in there. Another great film from Considine & I look forward to what he does next.