The Boxer

1997
R
1h 53m

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

23K

YOUR RATING

Daniel Day-Lewis and Emily Watson in The Boxer (1997)

Play trailer1:59

3 Videos

30 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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

23K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 3 wins & 6 nominations

Trivia
Sir 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 reviews63

Review

Featured review

9/10

Realistic, depressing and yet full of hope

I really liked this film for several reasons. Firstly, it dares to tell the story of ordinary people caught up in a conflict that they don't want to be a part of, and having their best hopes crushed. The script isn't written to be a crowd-pleaser.

Secondly, the story and the style of narration is wonderfully subdued and lowkey, both fitting the story perfectly and allowing the viewer to really involve him/herself in the story and characters.

Finally, the performances of Day-Lewis and Watson are very good. Day-Lewis lends great credibility to his character. He is no Mel Gibson or Harrison Ford rising again with a firm jaw after each blow, but rather a believable portrait of a man believing and wanting to do his best, but time and time again having his hopes crushed.

But the real star performance of the film is by Watson. After "Breaking the Waves" I had written her off (sorry, but I tend to do that with people who have played in von Trier movies), but her performance in this film is simply outstanding. Her portrait of both pride, strength and vulnerability is amazing.

9 out of 10.