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The Boxer

Play trailer Poster for The Boxer R 1997 1h 53m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 71 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Rising teen boxer and Belfast native Danny Flynn (Daniel Day-Lewis) was imprisoned for 14 years after getting involved with the Irish Republican Army. Newly freed from jail in his early 30s, Danny returns home and attempts to put his life back together. Reopening his neighborhood gym and reconnecting with his lost love, Maggie (Emily Watson), now a single mother while her husband is in prison, Danny battles against his former IRA compadres, including the militant Harry (Gerard McSorley).
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The Boxer

The Boxer

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Critics Consensus

The Boxer is a standard drama that packs a true emotional wallop thanks to the highly tuned central performances.

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Critics Reviews

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Bob Thomas Associated Press 05/14/2013
In each film he makes, Day-Lewis seems to adopt a new persona. Go to Full Review David Stratton sbs.com.au 05/14/2013
4/5
An intelligent, provocative piece of cinema, with something quite bold to say in the Irish context. Go to Full Review Carrie Rickey Philadelphia Inquirer 05/14/2013
3/4
Day-Lewis has the ability to make the will to nonviolence look positively volcanic. And Watson, with her 200-watt incandescence, makes longing look radiant. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 11/12/2023
B
Gritty boxing picture. Go to Full Review Alistair Lawrence Common Sense Media 01/05/2022
4/5
Despite the limitations of its script, this story about violent men and the cycles of death and destruction that repeat themselves has dialogue that feels grounded in the real world. Go to Full Review Rachel Wagner rachelsreviews.net 03/12/2019
B-
It is well acted and directed... It's just the script that could have been a little more memorable. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alec B @Alec97 02/20/2024 The connection between boxing and the violence of northern Ireland is a bit on the nose but Day-Lewis is brilliantly low key key here. See more 03/04/2022 The connection between boxing and the violence of northern Ireland is a bit on the nose but Day-Lewis is brilliantly low key key here. See more Chris G @RT19045642 11/06/2021 The incredible fight scenes and the noir IRA story get lost in a much less interesting romantic story, no matter how well acted it is. See more 04/09/2021 This movie is very pleasent, it has a very interesting setting and a great plot. At first I was afraid it was going to be the usual boxing movie, but it was not. I think the irish setting in that period of history is the most interesting part of the movie. See more charlie l @RT19434991 10/14/2020 The Boxer squanders a strong story and stellar performances with a pacing that just doesn't quite match. See more 07/21/2020 Hands down the most yearning, romantic, chemistry between the two leads in any movie - ever! The rest of the movie isn't bad either, but put Daniel and Emily in the same space and everything else fades away. See more Read all reviews
The Boxer

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Cast & Crew

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Jim Sheridan

Director

Daniel Day-Lewis

Danny Flynn

Emily Watson

Maggie

Brian Cox

Joe Hamill

Ken Stott

Ike Weir

Gerard McSorley

Harry

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The Boxer

The Boxer (1997) The Boxer (1997) The Boxer (1997) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Rising teen boxer and Belfast native Danny Flynn (Daniel Day-Lewis) was imprisoned for 14 years after getting involved with the Irish Republican Army. Newly freed from jail in his early 30s, Danny returns home and attempts to put his life back together. Reopening his neighborhood gym and reconnecting with his lost love, Maggie (Emily Watson), now a single mother while her husband is in prison, Danny battles against his former IRA compadres, including the militant Harry (Gerard McSorley).
Director
Jim Sheridan
Producer
Arthur Lappin
Screenwriter
Terry George
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures, Hell's Kitchen Films
Rating
R (Some Violence|Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 19, 1997, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 5, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.8M
Runtime
1h 53m
Sound Mix
SDDS, DTS, Surround
Aspect Ratio
35mm