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IMDbPro

The Boxer

  • 19971997
  • RR
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
21K
YOUR RATING
Daniel Day-Lewis and Emily Watson in The Boxer (1997)
Trailer 1
Play trailer1:59
3 Videos
38 Photos
  • Drama
  • Romance
  • Sport
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
21K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Jim Sheridan
  • Writers
    • Jim Sheridan
    • Terry George
  • Stars
    • Daniel Day-Lewis
    • Emily Watson
    • Daragh Donnelly
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jim Sheridan
  • Writers
    • Jim Sheridan
    • Terry George
  • Stars
    • Daniel Day-Lewis
    • Emily Watson
    • Daragh Donnelly
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 59User reviews
    • 63Critic reviews
    • 75Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 6 nominations

    Videos3

    The Boxer
    Trailer 1:59
    The Boxer
    The Boxer
    Trailer 1:55
    The Boxer
    The Boxer
    Clip 3:07
    The Boxer

    Photos38

    Daniel Day-Lewis in The Boxer (1997)
    Emily Watson in The Boxer (1997)
    Daniel Day-Lewis in The Boxer (1997)
    Daniel Day-Lewis and Emily Watson in The Boxer (1997)
    Daniel Day-Lewis and Jim Sheridan in The Boxer (1997)
    1 sheet
    The Boxer (1997)
    The Boxer (1997)
    The Boxer (1997)
    The Boxer (1997)
    The Boxer (1997)
    The Boxer (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Daniel Day-Lewis
    Daniel Day-Lewis
    • Danny Flynnas Danny Flynn
    Emily Watson
    Emily Watson
    • Maggieas Maggie
    Daragh Donnelly
    • Prison Officeras Prison Officer
    Frank Coughlan
    • Prison Officeras Prison Officer
    Sean Kearns
    • Prison Officeras Prison Officer
    Lorraine Pilkington
    Lorraine Pilkington
    • Brideas Bride
    Niall Shanahan
    • Groomas Groom
    John Wall
    • Priestas Priest
    • (as Father John Wall)
    Maria McDermottroe
    • Bettyas Betty
    Carol Moore
    Carol Moore
    • Wedding Guestas Wedding Guest
    • (as Carol Scanlan)
    Kate Perry
    • Wedding Guestas Wedding Guest
    Andrea Irvine
    Andrea Irvine
    • Wedding Guestas Wedding Guest
    Joan McGarry
    • Wedding Guestas Wedding Guest
    Theresa McComb
    • Wedding Guestas Wedding Guest
    Catherine Dunne
    Catherine Dunne
    • Wedding Guestas Wedding Guest
    Kerrie Duggan
    • Wedding Guestas Wedding Guest
    Sharon Dunne
    • Wedding Guestas Wedding Guest
    Derbhla McClelland
    • Wedding Guestas Wedding Guest
    • Director
      • Jim Sheridan
    • Writers
      • Jim Sheridan
      • Terry George
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Daniel Day-Lewis boxed and trained for three years in preparation for this role.
    • Goofs
      In one of the early scenes when Danny meets and talks to Maggie, she slaps him on the left side of his face. It was a very weak slap yet he gets a bad nose-bleed - from the right nostril. In the boxing sequences when his face is pummeled, there is less blood.
    • Quotes

      Danny: I'm not a killer, Maggie, but this place makes me want to kill.

    • Connections
      Featured in The 55th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      LET ME DOWN EASY
      Performed by Josie Doherty

      Written by Josie Doherty

      Arranged by Conor Brady

    User reviews59

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Sort of like "In the Name of the Father....Part Two".
    I rarely watch movies more than once, however this is my second time watching "The Boxer". Why? Because the airline I was on when I watched the film is stupid. What I mean is that I'd seen 95% of the film---then they cut it off!! For years, I always wondered what happened at the end and finally I've gotten around to it.

    Before I talk about the movie, I did find the choice of rolls for Daniel Day-Lewis very interesting. After doing "My Left Foot" and "In the Name of the Father", he chose yet another film set in Ireland or Northern Ireland. Because of this, and especially coming after "In the Name of the Father", there is a HUGE sense of Déjà vu, not only for the location but because BOTH films are about an Irishman who has been imprisoned for IRA activities. Though in this film Day-Lewis' character is much calmer, sweeter and subtle than in these other films--plus you really have to admire the way he prepared for this role*.

    The film begins with Danny (Day-Lewis) about to be released from prison. I don't recall what it is he did to get there but it had to do with IRA activities and Danny is sick of prison and wants to put it all behind him. As far as he's concerned, although he's now 32, he wants to pick up with his old boxing gym (Holy Family) and distance himself from the IRA. He obviously has become disenchanted by them and their killing of innocent civilians. Now he just wants to box and do something very radical for Northern Ireland--open up the gym to young would-be boxers of all faiths--not just Catholics. His goal is to facilitate the healing through boxing and his idea generally is well received--though his old compatriots are not particularly pleased and do everything they can to keep the fires of hatred stoked. Plus, his old flame (Emily Watson) isn't sure if she should be loyal to him or her rather toxic family.

    I really liked this film but noticed there were LOTS of divergent opinions. As a person with neither British nor Irish heritage, perhaps that is why I appreciated its message that it's time to stop the violence and have peace. I am sure this simple message irritated many on both sides of an insane conflict, though to me it just seems like a reasonable thing. Extremely well acted and quite gripping--I sure liked this film. I should warn you, however, the film is tough to watch at times. The boxing match with the Nigerian is one of the toughest and bloodiest in film history and the ending sure is tough to watch as well.

    By the way, it could be because I watched the film streaming through Netflix, but there were no captions. I really would have preferred them since I am a bit hard of hearing and it's sometimes tough for me to understand the accents--and I am sure some others might have the same experience.

    *Day-Lewis' acting method is legendary and even a bit scary. Even most method actors would be shocked how he puts himself into the roles (such as behaving as if he had severe cerebral palsy every second--even when the cameras were off while doing "My Left Foot"--necessitating insane things to accommodate his 'disability' by the crew). Here, according to IMDb, he worked for three years (THREE YEARS!) to perfect his boxing skills! Wow...that's dedication. And, while it might sound crazy, he is the actor with the most lifetime Oscars for Best Actor with three statuettes to his credit so far!!
    helpful•5
    0
    • planktonrules
    • Sep 16, 2013

    FAQ4

    • Who's speaking in the voiceover quotes on the opening titles?
    • Are there still 'peace walls' and paramilitary murals in Belfast today?
    • Did the split within the IRA shown in the film actually happen?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 9, 1998 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Ireland
    • Official site
      • Universal
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Golpe a la vida
    • Filming locations
      • Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Hell's Kitchen Films
      • Hell's Kitchen International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $5,980,578
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $86,097
      • Jan 4, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $16,534,578
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 53 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • SDDS
      • DTS-Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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