The Boxer (1997)

77% of critics liked it
(30 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(7,078 ratings)

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… More 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 starts training, encountering opposition from militant IRA members, including Harry (Gerald McSorley). Danny and Maggie grow closer, but after a bomb sets off events leading to the destruction of the gym, Danny leaves for a disastrous boxing match in London. More grim situations arise when he returns to Belfast. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 54 min.
Directed By: Jim Sheridan
Written By: Jim Sheridan, Terry George
Genres: Sports & Fitness, Drama

In Theaters: Dec 31, 1997 Wide
On DVD: Jul 7, 1998
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

Mike Clark, USA Today
Capable but not exceptional
Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer
... a lasting testament to the power of love and the damage done by prejudice and hate.
David Noh, Film Journal International
It's laden with such a heavy air of portentousness that it's difficult to become absorbed by the story.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Even with a predictably strong performance from Day-Lewis, who once again immerses body and soul into his role, the film is a letdown.

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Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

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… More
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 boxing scenes are good as well.
Conner R

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… More
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.
Tim S

The best part of this movie is that you know DDL was training his ass off and probably could have been a featherweight champion. Watching him jump rope and fight in those matches was great. Then there is the speech that he gives to Watson about jail, it's almost worth the price… More
The best part of this movie is that you know DDL was training his ass off and probably could have been a featherweight champion. Watching him jump rope and fight in those matches was great. Then there is the speech that he gives to Watson about jail, it's almost worth the price of admission. Basically, even though the movie is just okay and left me wanting more, you keep watching because of the acting, Brian Cox is great as well. I am on a huge IRA kick here lately.
Derek D

It's mainly a hard romance story, set within the story of an ex-boxer making a life out of prison with what he knows amidst the eternal terrorist struggles in Ireland. I don't think Daniel Day-Lewis could play a bad part in a film if he tried, as he easily carries the movie… More
It's mainly a hard romance story, set within the story of an ex-boxer making a life out of prison with what he knows amidst the eternal terrorist struggles in Ireland. I don't think Daniel Day-Lewis could play a bad part in a film if he tried, as he easily carries the movie here. Alongside him are a couple of Thomas Harris-universe vets in Emily Watson (Red Dragon) and Brian Cox (Manhunter). As it is, several different things could tear apart a romance already torn apart for 14 years due to a stretch in prison. I've been searching for this movie for the last 10 years, finally found it and was in no way disappointed.
Lady D

Just a tad drawn out, but wonderful performances all around with a powerful topic.
Drew S

Daniel Day-Lewis's other film about The Troubles - not nearly as loved as In The Name of the Father, but still a fine movie in its own right. Jim Sheridan guides his muse through another skillful marriage of personal pain to social and political strife, this… More
Daniel Day-Lewis's other film about The Troubles - not nearly as loved as In The Name of the Father, but still a fine movie in its own right. Jim Sheridan guides his muse through another skillful marriage of personal pain to social and political strife, this time focusing on a young couple torn apart by a bombing and subsequent arrest. The dealings of the IRA are a really fascinating subject; watching this film and Father back to back is an excellent cinematic crash course, sure to pique anyone's interest. Comparatively, this doesn't hit as hard as In the Name of the Father. The ending is stunning, which was one of the faults of the former film, but it's also much slower to get off the ground. It's difficult to get some of the meaning out of what you're seeing earlier in the movie, but this might have just been a lack of personal knowledge about The Troubles. By forty-five minutes in, the film moves from merely interesting to gripping, when Danny Flynn takes it upon himself to confront what faces him. Sheridan once again draws great performances out of his cast, including the traditionally excellent DDL and a haunted, magnetic turn by Emily Watson. And man, how big of a prick was that villain? Though you don't see much of him, he is chilling, and the final confrontation between him and Ken Stott divulges a wealth of information without seeming expository. Sheridan is clearly an actors' director - though working with DDL will guarantee great results no matter what you're doing.
Michael S

Very underrated.
Dean M

I love this excellent emotionally story of an ex-con boxer who has changed after his 14-year prison sentence to return his old neighbourhood, reopens a gym for Catholic and Protestant youths, and rekindles his relationship with a former girlfriend in Belfast, Ireland. The best of… More
I love this excellent emotionally story of an ex-con boxer who has changed after his 14-year prison sentence to return his old neighbourhood, reopens a gym for Catholic and Protestant youths, and rekindles his relationship with a former girlfriend in Belfast, Ireland. The best of writer-director Jim Sheridan and Daniel Day Lewis' third film since My Left Foot.
Chosen 7

Good film, great cast and performances.
Leo L

Great!
Grifty G

Not a bad film, but didn't engage me that much either. I think you have to live in Northern Ireland to really appreciate it. Definitely the least interesting of the Sheridan/DDL collaborations.