Film Excess - Free Ukraine - Stop Putin - End the war NOW!!: The Boxer (1997) - Excellent film of boxing and love in grim Ireland

12/04/2013

The Boxer (1997) - Excellent film of boxing and love in grim Ireland

♥♥♥♥♥

+ Best Boxing Movie of the Year + Best Irish Movie of the Year

Two of the best UK actors of their time make up most of this dark poster for Jim Sheridan's The Boxer

Set in the Belfast area in the 1990s Irish civil war between Protestant and Catholic Christians, The Boxer tells the story of Danny, an former IRA terrorist, who is released from prison after a long stint and wants to turn things around by opening up a boxing club. He falls for another prisoner's wife in the mix.

The Boxer is written by Terry George (In the Name of the Father (1993)) and great Irish filmmaker, co-writer/co-producer/director Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot (1989)).
The boxing and the love are the strong elements that lift up this very dark period piece of Irish and British history out of a gutter of utter despair. Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood (2007)) delivers one of his best performances ever, accomplishing total credibility as the low-down boxer Danny. In other big parts, Emily Watson (Breaking the Waves (1996)) and Brian Cox (L.I.E. (2001)) excel.

Sheridan achieves a great portrayal of the division between the societal groups in The Boxer, which elevates it historically. It is an excellent story about a grim chapter in Irish history.

Jim Sheridan: Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005) - Sheridan's hiphop biopic riddled with weak spots

2005 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]

1997 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess

In the Name of the Father (1993) or, The Scapegoats

Watch a trailer for the film here

Cost: 4.7 mil. $
Box office: 16.5 mil. $
= Big hit (returned 3.51 times its cost)

[The Boxer opened 31 December (North America, Philippines) and runs 114 minutes. Day-Lewis reportedly prepared by boxing for 3 years for the performance. Shooting took place from April - July 1997 in Ireland, including in Dublin. The film opened #19 to an 86k $ first weekend in 3 theaters in North America, where it peaked at #13 and grossed 5.9 mil. $ (35.8 % of the total gross). In the UK, including Ireland, it made 2.2 mil. $ (13.3 %). It was nominated for 3 Golden Globes, among other honors. Roger Ebert gave it a 3/4 star review, translating to a notch under this one. Sheridan returned with In America (2002). Day-Lewis returned in Gangs of New York (2002); Watson in Hilary and Jackie (1998). The Boxer is certified fresh at 81 % with a 7.20/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

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Film Excess - Free Ukraine - Stop Putin - End the war NOW!!

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12/04/2013

The Boxer (1997) - Excellent film of boxing and love in grim Ireland

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