The Boxer (1997)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Jim Sheridan

Writers (WGA):

Jim Sheridan (written by) &
Terry George (written by)

Release Date:

31 December 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Sport

Tagline:

Love is always worth fighting for.

Plot:

Nineteen year old Belfastian Danny Flynn is imprisoned for his involvement with the IRA. He leaves behind...

Plot Keywords:

Boxer | Boxing | Protestant | Belfast | Peace

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Daniel Day-Lewis	...	Danny Flynn
Daragh Donnelly	...	Prison Officer
Frank Coughlan	...	Prison Officer
Sean Kearns	...	Prison Officer
Lorraine Pilkington	...	Bride
Niall Shanahan	...	Groom
John Wall	...	Priest (as Father John Wall)
Maria McDermottroe	...	Betty
Carol Scanlan	...	Wedding Guest
Kate Perry	...	Wedding Guest
Andrea Irvine	...	Wedding Guest
Joan McGarry	...	Wedding Guest
Theresa McComb	...	Wedding Guest
Catherine Dunne	...	Wedding Guest
Kerrie Duggan	...	Wedding Guest

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexuality, language, drugs and violence.

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA | Ireland

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS

Certification:

South Korea:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Belgium:KT | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:12 (w) | Hong Kong:IIB | Mexico:B | Netherlands:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R | Singapore:PG | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Iceland:14 (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Although set in Belfast, the film was almost exclusively shot in the run-down docklands and Sheriff Street area of Dublin's North Inner City. The flat complex used in the film was earmarked for demolition but this was postponed until filming was completed. Since then the entire area has been redeveloped and now contains several multinational company headquarters, a college, hotels, up-market restaurants, a rail station and million dollar apartments.

Goofs:

Continuity: The cut above Danny's left eye disappears in some scenes.

Quotes:

Maggie: I do have a mind of my own, Danny. I know very well I might be losing it, but I do have a mind of my own.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 55th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1998) (TV)

Soundtrack:

IN THE SHADOW OF A GUN

Realistic, depressing and yet full of hope

I really liked this film for several reasons. Firstly, it dares to tell the story of ordinary people caught up in a conflict that they don't want to be a part of, and having their best hopes crushed. The script isn't written to be a crowd-pleaser.

Secondly, the story and the style of narration is wonderfully subdued and lowkey, both fitting the story perfectly and allowing the viewer to really involve him/herself in the story and characters.

Finally, the performances of Day-Lewis and Watson are very good. Day-Lewis lends great credibility to his character. He is no Mel Gibson or Harrison Ford rising again with a firm jaw after each blow, but rather a believable portrait of a man believing and wanting to do his best, but time and time again having his hopes crushed.

But the real star performance of the film is by Watson. After "Breaking the Waves" I had written her off (sorry, but I tend to do that with people who have played in von Trier movies), but her performance in this film is simply outstanding. Her portrait of both pride, strength and vulnerability is amazing.

9 out of 10.