The Boxer (1997)

Young Danny Flynn is released from prison 14 years after "taking the rap" for the IRA and tries to rebuild his life in his old Belfast neighborhood.

Director:

Jim Sheridan

Writers:

Jim Sheridan, Terry George

Stars:

Daniel Day-Lewis, Emily Watson, Daragh Donnelly

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

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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 Moore	...	Wedding Guest (as Carol Scanlan)
Kate Perry	...	Wedding Guest
Andrea Irvine	...	Wedding Guest
Joan McGarry	...	Wedding Guest
Theresa McComb	...	Wedding Guest
Catherine Dunne	...	Wedding Guest
Kerrie Duggan	...	Wedding Guest

Storyline

Nineteen-year-old Danny Flynn is imprisoned for his involvement with the I.R.A. in Belfast. He leaves behind his family and his sixteen-year-old girlfriend, Maggie Hamill. Fourteen years later, Danny is released from prison and returns to his old working class neighborhood to resume his life as a boxer, fighting and opening a boxing club training aspiring boxers. Maggie has since married Danny's best friend, who is also imprisoned for his I.R.A. activities. Although he has not denounced the I.R.A. or denigrated his I.R.A. colleagues, Danny has decided to live a life free of political violence. His boxing club is nonsectarian, open to both Catholics and Protestants. This move irks some of his old I.R.A. colleagues since they feel working with the Protestants will not resolve their David versus Goliath struggle. Danny's old I.R.A. colleagues, especially their unofficial leader Harry, resort to traditional tactics of violence to stop Danny. Maggie's father, Joe, also an I.R.A. activist, ...

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Plot Keywords:

boxer | boxing | belfast northern ireland | release from prison | boxing match | 

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Taglines:

Love is always worth fighting for.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Universal

Country:

USA Ireland

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 January 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bokser

Filming Locations:

Ardmore Studios, Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$86,097, 4 January 1998

Gross USA:

$5,980,578

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$16,534,578

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Hell's Kitchen Films, Hell's Kitchen Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

DTS SDDS DTS-Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

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Goofs

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

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Quotes

Ike Weir: [to Danny about Harry] You did him a favor, and he'll never forgive you for it.

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Connections

Referenced in Ausverkauft! (1999)

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Soundtracks

The Bridal Chorus
) (aka "Here Comes the Bride") (uncredited)
Written by Richard Wagner
Instrumental version heard on soundtrack during prison wedding

User Reviews

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.