The Boxer (Collector's Edition)
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, Daragh Donnelly, Frank Coughlan, Lorraine Pilkington, Sean KearnsBrand: Universal
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled)
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Special Edition, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.66:1
Running Time: 113 minutes
DVD Release Date: 1998-07-08
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Universal Studios
Movie Reviews of The Boxer (Collector's Edition)
Movie Review: A Different Kind of Sports Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Back in the 1980s, I became a huge fan of Barry McGuigan. McGuigan not only dethroned a long-time champion in Eusebio Pedroza to capture the World Featherweight Championship, but he had a most interesting story as well. McGuigan was a Catholic from Clones Ireland. At a time when Catholics and Protestants were in a deeply-rooted conflict in Northern Ireland, McGuigan married his Protestant girlfriend. Both had a desire to bring peace to both the Protestants and Catholics. As McGuigan would make a run for the World Title, he would soon succeed in bringing the factions together. My interest in McGuigan and McGuigan's story was always high - so when I found out that McGuigan was going to be involved in Jim Sheridan's film, "The Boxer" - I immediately took an interest. McGuigan's story would loosely be part of the story of "The Boxer" and McGuigan would serve as a Boxing Consultant for the film's star - Daniel Day-Lewis. In terms of Boxing being the vehicle between uniting Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland - that will the common thread of "The Boxer" to McGuigan's story. It really turns out that Boxing is the secondary story to a complex story of love and war in terms of the conflict that went on in the 1990s in Northern Ireland. The complexities of the story are about the only weak point of what is a very good movie.
The politics of the conflict in Northern Ireland are probably what makes the movie very complex. I wasn't very familiar with the politics behind the situation. After watching the movie a few times and reading some background on the turmoil that took place, I soon really began to appreciate what a great story this is. Day-Lewis plays Danny Flynn. The movie opens with Flynn being released from a Belfast prison for being involved with IRA activities. Prior to his arrest, Flynn was a promising boxer. During his prison stay, Flynn could have "squealed" on others, but chose to keep quiet. It was during his time in prison that Flynn became disenchanted with the whole Protestant-Catholic conflict. Upon returning from prison, Flynn not only seeks to resurrect his Boxing career, but he wishes to renew his relationship with his former girlfriend, Maggie (played by Emily Watson). Getting back with Maggie is not easy - Maggie has since married and had a son. It turns out that Maggie's husband has been imprisoned as well. While Maggie was in a loveless marriage, it isn't easy to get back with Flynn because the IRA forbids prisoner's wives to cheat (there are deadly consequences). Things are even more complicated because it is Maggie's father, Joe Hamill (played by Brian Cox) is an IRA leader who is trying to negotiate a peaceful settlement with the British (Protestants). Joe is facing internal turmoil because one of his District leaders, Harry (played by Gerard McSorley) doesn't believe in peace and prefers to keep the conflict going. As Flynn's career resurrects, his performances in the ring suddenly begin to bring the Catholics and Protestants together - much to Flynn's satisfaction. It's Harry who doesn't believe in Flynn's peaceful motives. Joe is now in a difficult spot because his daughter (a prisoner's wife) is getting close to Flynn. At the same time Harry is not only frowning on that, but frowning on Flynn's "peaceful" motives. It is this web that is going to lead to the film's emotional climax.
Much of this movie is a "dark" movie. While I have not been to Belfast and am not familiar with the neighborhoods in Belfast, I have heard from some people who have lived there that the neighborhood that is shown in "The Boxer" is greatly exaggerated. I have no way of knowing if this is true or not, I'm just going by the words of others. It is the neighborhood that is portrayed in this movie that helps contribute to the "dark element".
Day-Lewis was an actor in the 1990s who was considered the best in the business. His role in "The Boxer" is no exception, however I think Day-Lewis' performance as Danny Flynn isn't in his words - but in his actions. Sure, the McGuigan coached Boxing sequences are terrific, but as a "gentle pugilist and peacemaker", it is Day-Lewis' quiet mannerisms and intensity that are really going to merit this performance. Sometimes acting is more than just memorizing the words of the script - and this movie proves that theory true.
Perhaps the movie's best performance is delivered by Scottish actor Ken Stott. Stott plays Ike Weir - a Belfast drunk who once worked with Flynn in the ring who will now once again become his trainer as he resurrects his career. Obviously Ike's drunken moments are going to be the highlights of the movie - but Ike as a character is going to have other moments. In particular, I like how Sheridan develops Ike's character into one that isn't going to be afraid to "run away" from Belfast.
Although the Boxing angle is going to be the secondary story here, the Boxing is going to be excellent. Sure the Boxing choreography of Sylvester Stallone in the "Rocky" movies are going to be more entertaining, but the Boxing choreography in "The Boxer" is real. If you have seen Barry McGuigan fight, you are going to see Day-Lewis emulate his style - and the fight sequences are done with realism. You aren't going to see many Big Arena championship matches in this movie. Most of the sequences are club fights - and that just adds to the whole charm of the movie.
This is a terrific movie. As I mentioned, if you can understand the politics of the situation - and in particular understand Joe and Harry's role in the IRA, you will soon see the pieces of the movie put together. Even if you aren't a Sports fan, the story should still be appealing. Highly recommended.
Summary of The Boxer (Collector's Edition)
When danny flynn returns home after fourteen years in prison all he wants is to find peace resume his career and reclaim the woman he left behind. But as they renew their romance they realize his past stands in the way. Now in the face of danger fighting for love could cost them their lives. Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 02/15/2011 Starring: Daniel Day-lewis Brian Cox Run time: 114 minutes Rating: R Director: Jim SheridanYet another potent (although critically underrated) drama from Jim Sheridan and Daniel Day-Lewis, the Irish director and British star (respectively) of My Left Foot and In the Name of the Father. The story focuses on Danny Flynn (Day-Lewis), a promising boxer who had been imprisoned at age 18 for associating with IRA terrorists. After serving a 14-year sentence, he returns to his Belfast neighborhood at a time when local IRA leader Joe Hamill (Brian Cox) is attempting to negotiate a peace treaty with the British. Despite having no further interest in IRA rivalries, Danny finds himself at the center of political and emotional turmoil when he is reunited with his former girlfriend Maggie (Emily Watson, of Breaking the Waves) who, in Danny's absence, married another IRA man who is now in prison. A strict, unwritten law forbids relationships with the wives of IRA prisoners, but as the former boxer channels his energy into reviving a neighborhood boxing gym, the attraction between Danny and Maggie proves irresistible. This gives a strategic advantage to a militant IRA rival who opposes the peace treaty, drawing Danny back into the bitter and potentially deadly struggle between warring IRA factions. Emphasizing the emotional complexities that arise between Danny and Maggie, this powerful, superbly acted drama demonstrates a sharp understanding of the deep-rooted fears and loyalties that fuel the "troubles" in Ireland, where peace seemed to finally (if tentatively) be achieved in the summer of 1998. Offering a deeper understanding of the Irish conflict, this Universal Collector's Edition DVD includes a full-length audio commentary by director Sheridan and producer Arthur Lappin; an alternate ending and deleted scenes; the original theatrical trailer; and Fighting for Peace: Inside The Boxer, a documentary featurette about the making of the film. --Jeff Shannon
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