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Poster for The Boxer

The Boxer

Seen it?

1997 | 114 min | Drama, Romance

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (80% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for romantics. If you loved In the Name of the Father or The Fighter, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Warm and romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 54 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated R: meant for adults.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Nineteen-year-old Danny Flynn is imprisoned for his involvement with the I.R.A. in Belfast. He leaves behind his family and his sixteen-year-old girlfriend, Maggie Hamill. Fourteen years later, Danny is released from prison and returns to his old working class neighborhood to resume his life as a boxer.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.7 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $17 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 109K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Jim Sheridan

  • Daniel Day-LewisDanny Flynn
  • Emily WatsonMaggie Hamill
  • Brian CoxJoe Hamill
  • Ken StottIke Weir
  • Gerard McSorleyHarry
  • David HaymanJoe Hamill's Aide
  • Kenneth CranhamMatt MaGuire
  • Lorraine PilkingtonBride
  • Niall ShanahanGroom
  • John WallPriest