The Boxer (1997)

Director Jim Sheridan's The Boxer is an excellent motion picture that shows the very human face of the dark times in Northern Ireland. The imagery of how the people live in this war zone is haunting and bleak, never to be forgotten. Daniel Day-Lewis is superb in his deeply moving role and he is surrounded by an exceptional cast. Particularly outstanding is Emily Watson as Maggie, a magnificent performance that lights up the screen and warms the heart. Watson is indeed one of England's most gifted actors, perhaps the finest of our time. Her quiet beauty, brilliant eyes, and depth of humanity are simply overwhelming and watching her on screen is a powerful cinematic experience without equal. It is outrageous she is not even listed as a cast member on the IMDb first page when she was originally prominently featured as Day-Lewis' co-star. Anyone who sees this film will never forget her work here and the image she presents of loveliness, strength, and smoldering sexuality.

As a boxer he has a reason to rebuild a life around a community-centered activity, the only one he knows. It's hard to imagine how the ultimate dramatic quality would be served were Danny a construction worker or a bartender or having virtually any other occupation. Then you have the metaphor by contrast: boxing is a warlike activity and ostensibly consistent with the conflict of the Troubles... yet it is also a supreme discipline, done well, and a perfect substitute for war where (some fools and users say) honor and greatness can be achieved....For my complete review of this movie and for other movie and book reviews, please visit my site TheCoffeeCoaster.com.Brian Wright Copyright 2009

Daniel Day-Lewis proves here that he is one of the best actors in film today by immersing himself so far into a role as to be almost unrecognizable, as in Gangs of N.Y. Here he plays Danny Flynn, a boxer and former IRA radical just released from prison who tries to return home to rekindle a love lost because of his prison term. Emily Watson does a fine turn here as the old flame, Maggie, now forbidden to Danny by her marriage to his best friend, still in prison for the same reasons as Danny. Some of the plot is murky, with the reasons for the IRA's antagonism towards Danny never properly explained. However, Brian Cox as the IRA chief, also Maggie's father, and Ken Stott, who plays Danny's old boxing coach, Ike, who is now a drunk living in a homeless shelter give well rounded performances. Some knowledge of the Troubles in Ireland goes a long way in helping to understand some of this movie, but I don't think it was geared to a U.S. audience, hence its low profile on the list of Day-Lewis's fine performances. Still, he and Watson's chemistry, along with the old school type of filming by director Jim Sheridan make this one of the movies I missed the first time around that I will recommend to friends as must see viewing.

I never thought much about the situation in Northern Ireland before. This film opened my eyes to the British occupation and the division between the Irish Catholics and Irish Protestants. I don't understand why there are problems and I probably never will. It's a desperate situation with no winners on either side. I wish the cease fire will be permanent but you never really know. Daniel Day-Lewis has played an Irishman before in "My Left Foot" and "In the Name of the Father." It's no surprise that he felt so comfortable in an Irishman shoes that he became an Irish citizen even though he comes from affluent British family lineage to impress anybody. It's sort of like choosing coach over first class in my opinion. Day-Lewis does an extraordinary job playing Danny Flynn to be likable, flawed, and charming. Emily Watson is also excellent as the love his life despite her character's marriage to an I.R.A. Prisoner. Jim Sheridan doesn't forget his Irish roots or heritage or the situation in Northern Ireland. People are getting killed in the midst. Violence and war never solve anything but cause more problems. I pray and hope that the situation in NOrthern Ireland comes to peace. Maybe the same could happen in the Middle East as well. I look forward to seeing more of Jim Sheridan's work. I felt this film could have been better. I was kind of miffed by the ending.