Shiner (2000)
-
46% of critics liked it
(13 reviews) -
26% of users liked it
(153 ratings)
A minor-league criminal suddenly finds himself in deep trouble in this thriller. Billy "Shiner" Simpson (Michael Caine) is a man who has spent much of his life making a living by skirting the law, but he thinks he may finally have a legitimate path to the big time managing his son Eddie… More A minor-league criminal suddenly finds himself in deep trouble in this thriller. Billy "Shiner" Simpson (Michael Caine) is a man who has spent much of his life making a living by skirting the law, but he thinks he may finally have a legitimate path to the big time managing his son Eddie (Matthew Marsden), an up-and-coming boxer nicknamed "Golden Boy." Eddie is set to fight an American champion in a prizefight, and Billy is convinced Eddie can't lose. Even after Billy's daughter Georgie (Frances Barber) tips off the cops that he has been staging illegal underground brawls, Billy is able to convince the police not to arrest him until after Eddie's big bout. But Eddie loses in the second round, and Billy flees the arena with his son in tow. Billy and Eddie are followed by a gunman who shoots and kills the young fighter, and a distraught Billy becomes convinced someone got to Eddie and forced him to take a dive. As Billy tries to avoid both the law and the bookies with money on Eddie, he challenges a number of people he believes might know what really happened, including Eddie's coach Vic (Gary Lewis), the down-on-his-luck American promoter Frank Speeding (Martin Landau), Mel (Andy Serkis), one of Billy's henchmen (who can't say where he was when Eddie was killed), and Georgie and her husband. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- John Irvin
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense
R,
- In Theaters
- Jul 13, 2001 Wide
- Studio
- Miramax
Critic Reviews
-
Daphne Gordon, Toronto Star
It's hard to like a film about a guy who is utterly unlikeable, and Shiner, starring Michael Caine as an aging British boxing promoter desperate for a taste of fame and fortune, is certainly that.
-
Ray Conlogue, Globe and Mail
An ambitious movie that, like Shiner's organizing of the big fight, pulls off enough of its effects to make up for the ones that don't come off.
-
Amber Wilkinson, Eye for Film
Shiner can certainly go the distance, but isn't world championship material.
-
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
A tough and uncompromising drama about a boxing promoter betrayed by his family, Shiner may not totally succeed in its story outcome, but it is worth seeing for Michael Caine's devastatingly powerful and vulnerable performance alone.
-
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
Lacks heart, depth and, most of all, purpose.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Michael Caine
as Billy "Shiner" Simpson
-
Martin Landau
as Frank Spedding
-
Frances Barber
as Georgie
-
Claire Rushbrook
as Ruth
-
Frank Harper
as Stoney
-
Andy Serkis
as Mel
-
Gary Lewis
as Vic
