‘Salvable': A Rocky-ish Boxing Tale Set in South Wales
R | 1h 41m | Sports, Crime, Drama | 2025
There are three kinds of human conflict: man against nature, man against man, and man against himself. Boxing solidly encompasses two of those categories in one fell swoop, which is why boxing stories are the crown jewel of sports movies. They never get old. No other competitive sport is better at reflecting one's fight against all that stands against them. Consider the fact that all of the following boxing-related movies won Oscars, or were nominated: 'Ali,' 'Million Dollar Baby,' 'On the Waterfront,' 'Raging Bull,' 'Rocky,' 'When We Were Kings,' and at least 20 more.
Sal (Toby Kebbell, L) and Oliver (Jermaine Liburd) spar, in "Salvable."
Lionsgate
'Salvable' follows a year of boxing movies. In recent months, there was the German film '
Welly (James Cosmo) and Sal (Tony Kebbell, R) hits mitts, in "Salvable."
Lionsgate
The film industry also keeps its finger on the pulse of current events. It surely observed the spectacle and massive build-up of the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones, Jr. fight, the excitement leading up to the recent Jake Paul-Mike Tyson travesty, as well as the great success of the 'Creed' franchise that bloomed from the 'Rocky' franchise.
Unfortunately, 'Salvable' isn't going to join that Oscar list. While it's nowhere near as bad as the egregious 'Uppercut,' it's nowhere near as good as Jake Gyllenhaal's 2015 boxing film 'Southpaw.' Is 'Salvable' worth your while? Only if you're a boxing addict and can't get enough of the topic.
'Salvable'
'Salvable' takes place in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, in Southeast Wales. It stars British actor Toby Kebbell and original 'Transformers' star Shia LaBeouf—using a Welsh accent—in a fairly action-packed film about a boxer's trials and tribulations both inside the ring and out. Former world champion boxer Carl Froch has a cameo in 'Salvable,' and he trained
both Kebbell and LaBeouf for the film.
Sal (Toby Kebbell, L) and Vince (Shia LaBeouf) argue whether Sal should beat a man to death in an illegal fight, in "Salvable."
Lionsgate
When Sal (Kebbell), a past-his-prime, battered boxer realizes, a la Rocky, that his dreams and relationships are possibly down for the count, he (also like Rocky) is tempted to fall back in with the no-good, robbing, stealing, hustling bad element he ran with in his youth. It's headed up by his childhood friend Vince (LaBeouf). He arrives at a crossroads of choosing the hard right over the easy wrong. His incentive? He needs to reclaim his hope and the love of his estranged daughter.
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Sal (Toby Kebbell) plays chess with his daughter, Molly (Kíla Lord Cassidy), in "Salvable."
Lionsgate
Shia LaBeouf nearly ruined his career after 'Transformers' with a long string of prima donna scandals and allegations, but his unwavering intensity and commitment to his craft is second to none. 'Salvable' is far too niche a movie to catapult the former 'Transformers' star back to the heights of Hollywood stardom again.
(L–R) Former world champion Carl Froch, Toby Kebbell, and Shia LaBeouf on the set of "Salvable."
Lionsgate
The boxing action is solid, and the life coaching Sal receives from boxing club owner Welly (James Cosmo, best known as Hamish's dad in 'Braveheart') is wise. Sal's relationship with his daughter is exceptionally sweet, but the relationship with his ex-wife, bitter and degrading.
One might say that for a tragedy about a man on the brink of emotional collapse, there's surprisingly little raw emotion on display. Toby Kebbell's performance reads more like a heroic ability to forbear with dignity in the midst of suffering and chaos.
Lionsgate opens 'Salvable' in theaters, digital, and On Demand on May 2, 2025.
Promotional poster for "Salvable."
Lionsgate
'Salvable'
Directors: Bjorn Franklin, Johnny Marchetta
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Toby Kebbell, James Cosmo, Elaine Cassidy, Kíla Lord Cassidy
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 1 hour, 41 minutes
Release Date: May 2, 2025
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
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