The Boxer (1997)

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:

Danny Flynn is released from prison in Belfast after fourteen years for his part in IRA activities....

Plot Keywords:

Explosives | Protestant | Northern Ireland | Catholic | Ex Girlfriend

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:

Hell's Kitchen Films

Trivia:

Daniel Day-Lewis boxed and trained for 3 years in preparation for this role.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: During the televised boxing match in Londonderry, no TV cameras are seen around the ring area.

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:

DANNY BOY (DERRY AIR)

Difficult but rewarding

I think the reason this wasn't as well received as MY LEFT FOOT and IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER (the previous collaborations of Daniel Day-Lewis and Jim Sheridan) is this is telling a more complex tale, and while I loved both of those films, this one you have to work harder for. It should be said there are some lapses, particularly in the dialogue, which is often unnecessarily repeated. And sometimes, in his attempt not to play on our emotions too much, Sheridan goes too far in the opposite direction, making the film too distant.

Still, this is a powerful film. Sheridan was accused with IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER with making an anti-British film, but in that one and this one, he shows he's not afraid of taking on his own people as well. At the same time, while his sympathies are with Day-Lewis' character, he's able to recognize all sides of the situation, as to emphasize the point that peace is always hard work. Day-Lewis, as usual, gives an outstanding performance, though he's a little too old, and Watson continues to grow as an actress with her performance.