brilliant actors, brilliant editing

It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

Matty Burton is the middleweight boxing champion of the world. Now, coming towards the end of his career, he knows that he must make his money and get out of the game. His aim is to secure a home with his wife Emma, and a future for their baby daughter Mia. Journeyman is unfortunately another 'Rocky' rip-off without the energy or the stamina of the famous fictional champion. The overall drama and perfomances didn't do it for me either and the boxing parts were definitely no better either. Stick to Rocky and Creed or just wait for Creed II.

I think this was an excellently acted film BUT only by Paddy Consadine, and again shows why for pure organic acting that he is one of the best in Britain. My main problem with this movie was the other cast members who were simply that bad that it made Consadine seem even better than he probably was, though in no way is this a sleight on Consadine at all because he was excellent and must of done his research to nail the part the way that he did. The 'other boxer' pulled these weird facial expressions which in no way represented the face of a genuinely 'sorry' person, and that actor was terrible. It was a bit all a bit too '9pm ITV on a Thursday' for me and although it will no doubt please several people as a spectacle it really is simply a TV drama made to pay homage to Sheffield. The barber, Kell Brook or maybe his brother (whoever it was) spoiled it for me and simply because they added nothing at all. A well acted tale but with one real actor only, and how the rest can actually earn a living as paid 'actors' in itself is embarrassing. The UK looks so boring and bleak in this film, which to be fair, it is... 5.5/10

Journeyman: Matty Burton (Paddy Considine) is in the final days of his career as a boxer, he won the World Middleweight title on points and is now planning one last fight defending the belt before retirement. His opponent is the young and lippy Andre Bryte (Anthony Welsh), unlike Matty, he has won all of his fights to date. Matty wins a close victory but after he returns home he is discovered unconscious by his wife Emma (Jodie Whittaker). Matty has suffered a brain injury.A moving story about how acquired brain injury may lead to long and short term memory loss and physical incapacities. but also how in frustration Matty unknowingly becomes violent towards Emma and later puts his daughter at risk due to strange behaviour. His friends are absent at first but later return when Emma flees unable to cope with Paddy.Great performances all round but a couple of things niggle, in particular the fact that Matty did no have a carer. The Burtons were obviously well off and all professional boxers have to carry medical insurance, especially those at the top level. So it is unlikely that Emma would have been left alone to care for Matty. This reduces my rating to 7/10.

Very moving film brilliantly acted and directed by Paddy Considine.The story begins with World Champion Matty Burton (Considine) and the build-up to his fight with brash, unbeaten and mouthy prospect Andre Bryte (Anthony Welsh). Supporting Burton is his wife, Emma (amazing Jodie Whittaker), and the two have a young child together. The opening montage establishes Burton's life showing he has everything to fight for including: family, friends, pride, career and community.After the fight in the ring Considine and Whittaker take centre stage in a deeply moving portrait of a family coming apart due to tragic circumstances. Their performances as two characters battling to stay in love, together and just fighting to keep going is remarkable. There are so many startling scenes and moments which punch and wind you; this story moved me beyond words.