Watch Gloves Off

Gloves Off is a British comedy-drama film released in 2017. The movie focuses on the character of Doug, played by Brad Moore, a former Britain's boxing champion who now works at a gym and trains young boxers. The movie is directed by Steven Nesbit and produced by Brad Moore and Greg Orvis. The story begins with Doug working at a low-grade gym in London, training young boxers who aspire to be like him. Throughout the movie, the audience gets to know Doug as a character who exudes cockiness and confidence, but carries deep insecurities and fears from his past. Doug is a struggling single dad, who is trying to make ends meet for his son's education while being constantly pursued by creditors.

Suddenly, Doug's life takes an unexpected turn when he discovers an opportunity in the form of a boxing match that could change his fortunes. He gets a chance to fight his old rival, the undefeated "Gentleman" Joe Jackson, played by Ricky Tomlinson, in a winner-takes-all championship match. The match brings old grudges to the surface and reignites long-standing rivalries, putting Doug's skills to the test.

Gloves Off explores the various aspects of Doug's life, including his struggle to balance his personal and professional life, the intense rivalry he carries with Joe Jackson from the past, and his never-ending search for financial stability.

The film's director, Steven Nesbit, uses a blend of comedy and drama to create an experience that keeps the audience engaged throughout the movie. The humor is woven intricately into the storyline, and the comedy moments are not cheap. Instead, Nesbit uses them to develop and deepen the characters and their stories further.

Brad Moore's superb acting makes his character, Doug, relatable and likable while extending his character arc beyond the stereotypical big-talk boxer. His performance brings a sense of authenticity and vulnerability to the character that makes the audience empathize with him. Ricky Tomlinson impressively portrays the opposite of Doug - a retired and satisfied fighter who enjoys his life and cherishes his past glories.

The film takes a realistic approach towards boxing, focusing on the physical and mental preparation required to succeed in the world of boxing. The boxing scenes are gritty, raw, and visually impactful, adding power and punch to the film.

The music of the movie plays a significant role in conveying the feeling of the scenes. Nordenfarm, a British jazz band, composed a majority of the music in the movie, perfectly matching the story's tone and mood.

Overall, Gloves Off is a well-directed, superbly acted, and entertaining boxing movie that gives the audience more than just a bout in the ring. It showcases authentic and relatable characters who are looking for success and happiness in their lives. It is a heartwarming and sincere story about a boxer who is fighting for something beyond the ring, a story that resonates with people who have ever struggled in life.

Gloves Off is a 2018 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.