Journeyman (film)

Journeyman is a 2017 British drama film written and directed by Paddy Considine. The film stars Paddy Considine and Jodie Whittaker, with Paul Popplewell, Anthony Welsh and Tony Pitts.
Plot.
The story concerns middleweight boxing champion Matty Burton. As he approaches the end of his career he knows that he must make his money and get out of the game, to secure a home and future with his wife and baby daughter. After a titanic fight with the brash and controversial Andre Bryte, Matty collapses on his living room floor, a delayed reaction to a devastating punch. Awaking from the coma, the real fight begins. Suffering from memory loss and with his personality altered, Matty must begin to piece his life back together as his world disintegrates.
Cast.
Kell Brook and Steve Bunce have cameos as themselves, while Brendan Ingle plays Robin Burton, the protagonist's father.
Release.
The film was released in the UK on 30 March 2018.
Reception.
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 82% based on 39 reviews, and an average rating of 6.65/10. The site's consensus reads: ""Journeyman" finds writer-director-star Paddy Considine gutting out a boxing drama whose familiar narrative contours are countered by an array of powerful performances". Robbie Collin of "The Telegraph" gave it four out of five stars, dubbing the film 'heartbreaking'. "Empire" also gave the film four out of five stars, describing Considine as 'astonishing as a broken man attempting to put himself back together'. Guy Lodge of "Variety" found it a lesser film than "Tyrannosaur", but praised the acting.
Influence.
Former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping said watching "Journeyman" while on a flight, and his desire not to become like the character in the film, led to his retirement from the sport. “It’s been a hell of a ride, it’s been amazing, but I knew watching that movie, I’m like, yeah, this is it, this is the end,” Bisping said. “I can’t do this to my family anymore. I can’t do it to myself. Obviously my eye is in terrible shape, and my good eye, I’m having a couple of issues with that as well. Nobody wants to go blind, and a friend of mine as well said, ‘You know if you went blind, you would give any amount of money in the world and get your sight back,’ and of course you would, so it just isn't worth it.” 