site search by freefind
MotorBar
Journeyman
Journeyman “The World Middleweight Champion
  has it all: the love of a devoted wife,
  a cherished baby daughter, a beautiful
  home and supportive friends; but as
  he sets out to defend his title against
  a younger newcomer billed as ‘the
  future’, nothing can prepare him for
  the devastating life-changing injuries
  he suffers after winning the exceptionally
  punishing fight in Journeyman...”

WHILE SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDING HIS TITLE and dealing with the death of his much-loved father, World Middleweight Boxing Champion Matty Burton (Paddy Considine: In America; Shane Meadows' comedy drama A Room for Romeo Brass and thriller Dead Man's Shoes, co-written by Paddy with Meadows; Armando Iannucci's Death of Stalin) suffers terrible head injuries in an unexpectedly-punishing fight with cocky newcomer Andre Bryte (Anthony Welsh: My Brother The Devil). Once home, he collapses and is rushed to hospital where he is put in intensive care.

Living the good life in a luxury house with all the trappings he could wish for and a supportive, loving wife Emma (Jodie Whittaker: Broadchurch; Attack the Block; Doctor Who, 2018) and beloved baby daughter Mia (Lexi and Lainey Duffy), Matty had it all; but his whole world has come crashing down and he faces the true fight of his life.

“Journeyman
is an emotive and
affecting Boxing drama
exploring determination,
love, friendship and
forgiveness.
Paddy Considine and
Jodie Whittaker eloquently bring to the
screen one man’s
painstaking battle to
reclaim his life
and his family...”
Having to learn to speak again, improve his limited mobility and get back his memory, Matty finds the journey back to normality tough and frustrating. Trapped inside a body and a mind that he doesn't recognise, Matty suffers recurring and debilitating head pains.

With a steely determination, Emma is the voice of calm; reassuring Matty and helping him as he slowly recovers from his ordeal with the aid of a dedicated medical team. His frustrations boil over and his outbursts upset Emma, who feels she is on her own as Matty's close friends do not know how to deal with the tragic situation.

Emma is shocked when Matty slaps her hard, but still she refuses to stop caring for him. Finally it is her fear of Mia unintentionally being hurt that drives her away and she leaves him, sending him into a spiral of depression and panic that results in a suicide attempt — a pivotal moment in his recovery.

Much-praised by audiences and critics on its theatrical release, Journeyman is an emotive and affecting Boxing drama exploring determination, love, friendship and forgiveness. Paddy Considine and Jodie Whittaker eloquently bring to the screen one man's painstaking journey to reclaim his life and his family, with the unwavering support of those he loves.

Many of the supporting cast make their acting debuts with roles that closely mirror their actual professions. With appearances from boxers, boxing commentators, nurses and occupation therapists, Journeyman was developed and shot in close collaboration with the boxing community and medical profession. It is financed by Film4, the BFI, Screen Yorkshire and The Wellcome Trust.

Journeyman also features: Tony Pitts (War Horse) as trainer Richie; Paul Popplewell ('71) as Jackie; Matt Insley as Matt not Matty; Boxing Promoter Francis Warren; Boxing interviewer Steve Bunce; and Brendan Ingle as Matty's father Robin Burton.

Original Music by Harry Escott; Director of Photography is Laurie Rose, BSC; Produced by Diarmid Scrimshaw (Dog Altogether; Tyrannosaur); and Written and Directed by Paddy Considine*, following on from his 2011 directorial debut Tyrannosaur.

*Paddy's first play The Ferryman (Directed by Sam Mendes and written by Jez Butterworth) received rave reviews when it opened earlier in 2018. He is currently filming the BBC series Informer, due to air in late-2018.

Journeyman is released by STUDIOCANAL on Blu-ray, DVD, Digital Download and VOD in the UK on 30 July 2018. Certificate: 15 | Running Time: 94 Minutes Approximately.

Features: HOH Subtitles | Audio Description. Extras: Commentary with Writer, Director and Lead Actor Paddy Considine | Interview with Paddy Considine and Boxing Coach Dom Ingle | Extended Scenes: Post-Fight Interview & Head to Head.

"Journeyman is an emotive and affecting Boxing drama exploring determination, love, friendship and forgiveness. Paddy Considine and Jodie Whittaker eloquently bring to the screen one man's painstaking battle to reclaim his life and his family, with the unwavering support of those he loves" — **** Maggie Woods, MotorBar

"Packs a powerful punch… Considine is astonishing" — **** Empire

"Heartbreaking and real… An emotional knockout" — **** Time Out

"Jodie Whittaker is fantastic" — **** Total Film

"A truly astounding piece of work" — **** The Sun

"Paddy Considine's heartbreakingly human boxing drama will floor you" — **** The Daily Telegraph
.