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:

The boxing match in the film, complete with the unusual result, was based on an actual bout.

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:

(I CAN'T GET NO) SATISFACTION

Punches a Light into Dim Situation of N. Ireland

The Boxer is dark movie about a seemingly unsolvable problem. It's filmed in a constant dark, dreary, depressing light; this light reflects not only the weather but the mood of Northern Ireland.

This expose of "the troubles" in N. Ireland uses a story about a boxer who returns to his home after being released after 14 years of imprisonment. His goal is to take his most usable asset (boxing) and make something of himself and his former coach.

Like everything in N. Ireland, living normally is laced with problems when you're in the middle of a war. His interest in his now-married former girlfriend is forbidden, since prisoners of war wives are off limits to honor the prisoner. Accepting gifts from the police force is also a sign of capitulation, and as such carries penalties.

The film clearly shows that those that wish to make peace (however passively) and live normal lives are marked as disloyal and targeted by the Irish Mafia (alluded to as the IRA in the film).

It's a sad commentary on a desolate group of trouble makers in a growing desolate land.