The Boxer Movie Review 1997

Affecting, if predictable, romance set in Ulster, Northern Ireland. Having served 14 years in prison Danny Flynn (Day-Lewis) wants nothing more to do with politics and violence. But his return to his old neighborhood--where he hopes to get back to his boxing career--finds him in the thick of both. Danny manages to persuade his ex-trainer, the alcoholic Ike (Stott), to help him re-open the local gym but resentment is high. Particularly from hard-liner Harry (McSorley), who doesn't like Danny's live-and-let-live attitude and is incensed that he's interested in rekindling his lost-but-never-forgotten love for Maggie (Watson), who's the daughter of local IRA boss Joe (Cox), and the wife of another IRA prisoner. Things quickly turn ugly but the emotionally fragile Danny and Maggie continue to fight to be together against formidable odds.

Distribution

Universal Studios Home Video, 100 Universal City Plz., Universal City, CA 91608-9955, Phone: (818)777-1000, Fax: (818)866-1483, URL: http://www.universalstudios.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 113 minutes.
Originally from British, Irish.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Romantic Drama, Ireland, Boxing, Family Ties, Director/Star Teams: Sheridan & Day-Lewis

Screenplay

Jim Sheridan, Terry George

Cast

Daniel Day-Lewis, Emily Watson, Brian Cox, Gerard McSorley, Ken Stott, Ciaran Fitzgerald, Kenneth Cranham

Cinematography

Chris Menges

Director

Jim Sheridan

Music

Gavin Friday, Maurice Seezer

Other

Tom Bell

Producer

Jim Sheridan, Arthur Lappin, Hell's Kitchen, Universal Pictures