In all honesty, Daniel Day-Lewis is a phenomenal actor and so is Emily Watson, but in this, I couldn't get into the characters. They weren't really as deep as I would have liked them to feel. I liked that it was a forbidden love and all but I really didn't like the Maggie character at all. She was so, I don't even know the words to describe it. She was very plain and unappealing to me. I know that I wouldn't risk my life for her and her bratty kid. The story though, was pretty well received. The character Harry was really hated by me. It was like watching an Irish Joffery(Game of Thrones) almost. Overall it was a good movie, just not as good as I would have expected after watching In the Name of the Father.

Director Jim Sheridan's The Boxer is an excellent motion picture that shows the very human face of the dark times in Northern Ireland. The imagery of how the people live in this war zone is haunting and bleak, never to be forgotten. Daniel Day-Lewis is superb in his deeply moving role and he is surrounded by an exceptional cast. Particularly outstanding is Emily Watson as Maggie, a magnificent performance that lights up the screen and warms the heart. Watson is indeed one of England's most gifted actors, perhaps the finest of our time. Her quiet beauty, brilliant eyes, and depth of humanity are simply overwhelming and watching her on screen is a powerful cinematic experience without equal. It is outrageous she is not even listed as a cast member on the IMDb first page when she was originally prominently featured as Day-Lewis' co-star. Anyone who sees this film will never forget her work here and the image she presents of loveliness, strength, and smoldering sexuality.

Danny Flynn (Daniel Day-Lewis) was imprisoned in his youth for I.R.A. involvement. He is released after 14 years. His old girlfriend Maggie Hamill (Emily Watson) is married to Danny's former best friend. He returns to his old neighborhood to a cold reception. In prison, he refused to openly support the I.R.A. but he also never named names. He wants to live life free from the political turmoil. He reopens the old boxing club allowing neighborhood kids and himself to fight in non-sectarian bouts. Maggie's father Joe Hamill (Brian Cox) is working for a ceasefire, prisoner releases, and ultimately peace. Maggie's husband is in prison and she still has conflicted feelings for her old love Flynn. When the cops show their support for the gym, I.R.A. hothead Harry (Gerard McSorley) is angered and the gym gets fired on. Later at a boxing match, police chief is killed in a car bomb which ends in chaos.The boxing is the least compelling part of the movie. This works more as a love story between DDL and Watson amidst the conflicts. This is like a slow moving romance. That part works by the simple force of will from the two lead actors. Brian Cox is fine but it would work better if he's harder on DDL. Gerard McSorley is basically doing that part for the movie. There are some great actors doing fine work but the movie doesn't add up to greatness.

As a boxer he has a reason to rebuild a life around a community-centered activity, the only one he knows. It's hard to imagine how the ultimate dramatic quality would be served were Danny a construction worker or a bartender or having virtually any other occupation. Then you have the metaphor by contrast: boxing is a warlike activity and ostensibly consistent with the conflict of the Troubles... yet it is also a supreme discipline, done well, and a perfect substitute for war where (some fools and users say) honor and greatness can be achieved....For my complete review of this movie and for other movie and book reviews, please visit my site TheCoffeeCoaster.com.Brian Wright Copyright 2009