THE BOXER (1997) - ♦♦♦

Directed by - Jim Sheridan

Written by - Jim Sheridan, Terry George

Starring - Daniel Day-Lewis, Emily Watson

"A repentant IRA member comes out of prison and returns to Belfast determined to start life anew. He opens up a gym but gets himself into trouble when he falls in love with the woman of an IRA member currently serving time. 

THE BOXER marked the third collaboration between filmmaker JIM SHERIDAN and actor DANIEL DAY-LEWIS. But it feels rather lukewarm compared to the previous powerful dramas MY LEFT FOOT and IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER. 

DAY-LEWIS still turns in a powerful performance in his role as a man who can't escape his past and the portrayal of the increase of splinter groups within the IRA as well as the overall faithful war scarred representation of the setting of Belfast is very admirable. 

What THE BOXER ultimately lacks is an original story, which here seems autopiloted, unoriginal and far too structured."

Drama, USA/Ireland