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The Boxer (1997)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 7.2/10
Reviews Counted: 30
Fresh: 23 | Rotten: 7

No consensus yet.

Average Rating: 7.8/10
Critic Reviews: 8
Fresh: 7 | Rotten: 1

No consensus yet.

audience

liked it
Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 7,078

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Movie Info

Jim Sheridan (In the Name of the Father) directed this drama about a Belfast boxer, filmed with Dublin locations substituting for Belfast. Released after his 14-year prison sentence for IRA activities, 32-year-old Danny Flynn (Daniel Day-Lewis) returns to his old neighborhood and sees former-flame Maggie (Emily Watson), who has an unhappy marriage and now raises her son alone while her husband is in prison. To get back in the boxing ring, Danny gets the community-center gym back in operation and

R, 1 hr. 54 min.

Sports & Fitness, Drama

Directed By: Jim Sheridan

Written By: Jim Sheridan, Terry George

In Theaters: Dec 31, 1997 Wide

On DVD: Jul 7, 1998

Universal Pictures

The Boxer Trailer & Photos

Cast

Daniel Day-Lewis
Danny Flynn
Emily Watson
Maggie
Brian Cox
Joe Hamill
Ken Stott
Ike Weir
Gerard McSorley
Harry
Eleanor Methven
Patsy
Ciaran Fitzgerald
Liam
David McBlain
Sean
Damien Denny
Eddie Carroll
Clayon Stewart
Akim
Kenneth Cranham
Matt Maguire

Critic Reviews for The Boxer

All Critics (53) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (23) | Rotten (7) | DVD (5)

Capable but not exceptional

January 1, 2000 Comment

Mike Clark

USA Today

Top Critic

... a lasting testament to the power of love and the damage done by prejudice and hate.

September 20, 2007 Comment

Jeffrey Overstreet

Looking Closer

It's laden with such a heavy air of portentousness that it's difficult to become absorbed by the story.

January 3, 2007 Full Review Source: Film Journal International

| Comment

David Noh

Film Journal International

Even with a predictably strong performance from Day-Lewis, who once again immerses body and soul into his role, the film is a letdown.

January 13, 2004 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com

| Comment

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Boxer

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A boxer returns from an unjust prison sentence to try to rebuild his life in an Ireland at odds with itself. Lewis carries the picture easily as a man of few words but his scenes with Watson up the ante: watching them communicate when they know it's against the rules but unable to help themselves makes the film. The boxing scenes are good as well.

June 18, 2011

moon rivers

Super Reviewer

Daniel Day-Lewis doing what he does best. The plot is really good as well, dealing with the IRA and a forbidden love between Day-Lewis and an old flame. Also, it seems that Cinderella Man's style and plot points seemed to borrow a lot from this movie, but out of the two, this is definitely the one to see.

November 18, 2009