Salvable (2025) - Film Critique

      Salvable, 2025.

      Directed by Bjorn Franklin and Johnny Marchetta.

      Featuring Toby Kebbell, Shia LaBeouf, James Cosmo, Barry Ward, Shaun Paul McGrath, Aiysha Hart, Elaine Cassidy, Nell Hudson, Kíla Lord Cassidy, Vauxhall Jermaine, and Renu Brindle.

      SYNOPSIS:

      An older boxer seeks to break free from a small town while grappling with a strained relationship with his teenage daughter.

      As one watches "Salvable," directed by Bjorn Franklin and Johnny Marchetta (with the screenplay by Franklin), it's hard to overlook the fact that they created a film about a troubled individual named Sal and titled it SALvable. This realization adds to the frustration, especially since the movie features a tranquil small-town backdrop, an impressively raw performance by Toby Kebbell, and a moderately intriguing contrast – the main character is a washed-up boxer who has exchanged pummeling opponents in the ring for caregiving for the elderly.

      The filmmakers emphasize this transition, frequently shifting between scenes of caregiving and those depicting boxing flashbacks, gym sparring, or contemporary fights. Sal’s personal life is chaotic; he has separated from his former partner (Elaine Cassidy), is estranged from his teenage daughter (Kíla Lord Cassidy), and is in a relationship with a girlfriend who has grown distant due to his lack of openness (suggesting his reluctance to let her into his life). Following a reconnection with Shia LaBeouf's Vince, a longtime friend recently released from prison, Sal begins to contemplate returning to fighting. However, these aren’t sanctioned bouts; rather, they are underground street fights captured with a gritty realism and primal intensity, where rules are disregarded.

      Sal aspires to mend his relationship with his daughter and makes earnest attempts to spend weekends with her. He is also striving (but mostly failing) to gain full custody of her. The teenager, too, is a somewhat clichéd character, unfiltered and rebellious, getting into trouble at school, possibly as a reaction to their home life. She finds her stepfather dull and shows little interest in building a relationship with her father, who left during her childhood for typical reasons. Nonetheless, after witnessing Sal's genuine sorrow over a resident’s death, she decides to soften her demeanor and give him a chance, suspecting he might have more to him than just boxing.

      Without diving into specifics, Sal's personal circumstances deteriorate, which drives him further into collaborating with the sociopathic Vince, despite internal conflict telling him to resist morally. Sal is determined to do whatever is necessary to make money, support his daughter, and prove his worth. Vince is portrayed as nearly one-dimensional, with Shia LaBeouf adopting a silly, unconvincing accent, functioning primarily as a symbol of trouble. Similarly, their friendship lacks depth, both in the past and present.

      The interactions between Sal and his daughter are relatively stronger, feeling more personal thanks to a nuanced performance by Toby Kebbell. It’s also refreshing to see him take on a leading role again after delivering outstanding motion capture performances in the recent "Planet of the Apes" films. "Salvable" aims for a genuine, lived-in vibe and somewhat succeeds through Kebbell's performance and the support of the cast surrounding him, yet the plot is overly familiar and ultimately disappoints. Instead, viewers are left waiting for the film to follow its predictable, generic trajectory. There’s little here that is truly redeemable.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★

      Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association, Critics Choice Association, and Online Film Critics Society. He also serves as the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews and follow my BlueSky or Letterboxd.