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The Boxer (1997)

tomatometer

88

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

No consensus yet.

audience

71

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

My Rating

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

Jim Sheridan, Terry George

Jul 7, 1998

Universal Pictures

Cast

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

Capable but not exceptional

January 1, 2000 Comment
USA Today
Top Critic IconTop Critic

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

September 20, 2007 Comment
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
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
TheMovieReport.com
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Boxer

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

June 18, 2011
moonrivers

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
ythelastman89

Super Reviewer

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