Journeyman

When i was a teenager, i used to watch boxing matches with my Grandfather. Back in the early 90´s, there was a lot of great fighters such as Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Oscar De La Hoya and George Scott. Let´s talk about George Scott for a moment. He was one of the most famous boxing personalities in Sweden, and we watched many of his fights on TV 1000 ( a Swedish TV Channel back in the 90´s ). I remember when George Scott won the WBU title in 1995, and became the World Champion. This was one of those moments in Swedish sport history that i am really proud of. You have to remember, we don´t have many boxing champions in Swedish boxing history, so George Scott made a really huge impact, both as a boxer and his personality. Hollywood have made some really good films about boxing legends, and i know a lot of you are probably thinking about the 1976 movie Rocky with Sylvester Stallone. I agree that this film is a cult classic, and should be seen. But there is another movie that is perhaps the best boxing film made, from director Martin Scorsese. His movie Raging Bull, with legendary actor Robert De Niro, is the best boxing film of all time. Robert De Niro´s performance as boxer Jake LaMotta is absolutely fantastic. I would even call Raging Bull one of the best film from director Martin Scorsese, and he have made so many fantastic films in the past. Raging Bull tell the story of Jake LaMotta in a very effective way, showing us how a famous boxer can destroy his own life, with his rage behavior taking over his life. This is a must own on Blu Ray, and you get some really nice special features included. And if you have time, listen to the commentary track and find out some really interesting facts about the film. I have to mention, 2 years ago came a really good boxing drama called Bleed For This, based on the true story of World Champion boxer Vinny Pazienza, how he managed to work his way back into the ring after a very serious car accident. The lead actor Milles Teller did one of his best performances of his career so far, a film you should see if you want to see a really good drama film. Since i enjoy stories about boxing, i came across a Blu Ray copy of the British drama Journeyman. I have enjoyed a lot of performances from actor Paddy Considine, and i especially remember Shane Meadows movie Dead Man´s Shoes from 2004. A film that many people might not remember, but is worth a watch. When i saw that Paddy both directed the film Journeyman, and have the lead role, i was hooked up right away. Is this a British drama film that delivers solid quality, or should this film have been much better ?

Boxer Matty Burton ( Paddy Considine ) is going up against boxer Andre Bryte ( Anthony Welsh ) to defend the World Championship title. Matty wins the match, and is still the World Champion. But after the match, something is terribly wrong with Matty. His wife Emma Burton ( Jodie Whittaker ) finds him passed out. It is confirmed later that Matty is suffering a very serious brain damage, and no one knows if he will remember anything. Matty can´t even remember his own daughter, as he starts his new life, trying to find himself. 

Even if Journeyman have some traditional boxing ingredients included, this film goes in a much more emotional level than most ordinary boxing drama films. We get to see how a World Champion in boxing loose his memory, and have to fight his way back, to live a normal life as possible. Imagine not even remembering your own child, that you were married, and not even remember your past ? Journeyman is a very emotional journey through a man´s life, to find himself again. Since he does not remember almost anything, and his brain damage have changed his personality, he have a new struggle on his hand. One of the most sad parts of this film, is to see main character Matty completely lost. Lead actor Paddy Considine ( who also directed this film ) does a really powerful performance as a brain damaged former boxer. The way he manage to capture the face expressions, the behavior of a brain damaged person, he nails it all. Paddy have clearly worked hard on making his character realistic. Actor Jodie Whittaker as Matty´s wife Emma, also does a really strong performance. How do you handle your husband, after living a normal life, and suddenly have to live with a man that is no longer the same man ? I also enjoy the performance of actor Anthony Welsh, who plays the professional boxer Andre Byte. You can tell he feels a lot of regret, causing Matty his brain damages. Journeyman is a very hard film to watch, because you feel so sad for the life of Matty. But at the same time, this is a very important story, to show the world how much a brain damage can affect a family, and the loved ones around you. Director Paddy Considine have managed to make a film that really shows you how we can change, when tragedy strikes. I have personally worked with brain damaged people, and i feel that director Paddy Considine have done a lot of research, to make sure that the main character give a realistic view on brain damaged people. I also feel that director Paddy also manage to capture the struggle a brain damaged person have, trying to find their way in society. Journeyman is a film that should be shown in all medical schools, and for students who want to work in health care. They might get a bigger perspective on how brain damage can affect a human, in many different ways. But this is a film that anyone can see honestly, and i guarantee you will be emotional. Journeyman is a film that will guaranteed be on the list of best movies of 2018. This is a very well made drama that digs deep into your soul. There is no doubt, Journeyman is a must see for all ages.

Rating: DDDD