Shadowboxer (2005)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Lee Daniels

Writer (WGA):

William Lipz (written by)

Release Date:

14 July 2006 (Italy)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Feeling Protected Is Very Seductive

Plot:

When Rose, a female assassin, is diagnosed with terminal cancer; she decides to carry out one final killing, assisted by lover and also stepson, Mickey. |

Plot Keywords:

Female Assassin | Stepmother | Hitwoman | Nudity | Interracial Romance

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Cuba Gooding Jr.	...	Mikey
Helen Mirren	...	Rose
Vanessa Ferlito	...	Vicki
Macy Gray	...	Neisha
Joseph Gordon-Levitt	...	Dr. Don
Mo'Nique	...	Precious
Stephen Dorff	...	Clayton Mayfield
Matt Higgins	...	Eddie
Tom Pasch	...	Andrew
Ryan Eric Speise	...	Anthony - Age 3
Cullen Flynn Clancy	...	Anthony - age 7 (as Cullen Clancy)
Marilyn Yoblick	...	Real Estate Agent
Darnell Williams	...	Mikey's Father
Marvina Vinique	...	Mikey's Mother (as Marvina Vinque)
John Panzarella	...	Man in Hotel (as Johnny Panzarella)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong graphic violence and sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use.

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Brazil:18 | USA:R | UK:18 | Argentina:18 | Finland:K-15 | Australia:MA | New Zealand:R18 | Italy:VM14 | Netherlands:16 | Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Collegeville, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Teton Films

Trivia:

Anjelica Huston was considered for the role of Rose.

Quotes:

Rose: [to Vicki] Feeling protected is very seductive.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Indie Sex: Censored (2007) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Pardon My Freedom

Doesn't Live Up To Its Potential

I can't believe I'm agreeing with the other review but Cuba's role did erase snow dogs from my memory. He was phenomenal.

Thats about the only nice thing I can say about this film. It has a number of problems and I suspect Mr. Daniels would not like to hear any of them, the two worst:

1. All shock and no substance. Sex and violence are fine, when they are part of the story. I'm sure Lee thinks they are part of the story, but the film would have been 1000 times better if it were a bit more subtle. This is a difficult point to grasp. I wasn't offended or anything, I just think it looks like he is using this as a crutch instead of art. It comes across as trying to hard to be edgy. It basically loses its impact.

2. Boring Story. So ridiculously predictable. Its really a shame given the great acting and interesting characters. Total fizzle at the end though.

3. Doesn't live up to its potential. Well cast, great acting, beautiful cinematography, but somehow all the pieces just don't fit.