An interesting mix of boxing and Irish political genres, "The Boxer" effectively combines the two with decent performances but is ultimately hampered by an often ambiguous plot. This film marks the third collaboration between director Jim Sheridan and Daniel Day-Lewis whose previous films were the Oscar nominated features "My Left Foot" and "In the Name of the Father." Adding in screenwriter Terry George who returns for his second collaboration (Oscar nominated for "In the Name of the Father"), and obviously there are high expectations for this film.
For the most part, it's quite good. Essentially a multilayered story, however, it nearly spreads its focus too thin on the three main plots: The IRA and the changes it's going through; A boxer returns to the ring after a fourteen-year absence; and finally a love story. While they're all mostly balanced in screen time, the love story nearly feels short changed. We know of the main characters' love for each other, but jumping into their reunited relationship more than a decade later doesn't give us much knowledge of their previous time together. Other than knowing that they were teen lovers in a turbulent period, we aren't initially given much incentive to root for their reunited love.
Likewise, we never see Maggie's imprisoned husband and his anonymity hurts the "scandalous" relationship that develops between her and Danny. Sure, it has some adulterous elements (although she claims hers was a rebound marriage and hasn't been anything since), but the scandal comes more from her "betraying" an IRA prisoner than a husband. This is all neatly introduced in an opening wedding ceremony in prison where the following reception is decidedly groom-less and later when the IRA men threaten a young guest for dancing with a prisoner's wife. Sheridan uses that to show that the women in this picture must put up a front where they continually support their men in prison, all of which is telling for the later scenes with Maggie and her behavior toward Danny.
Their newly reborn romance kick starts the movie's main conflict and that's between Danny and Harry. While we learn a little about their previous "friendship," most of it's played down like the other backstory in the film (the teen romance, Danny's best friend who's now Maggie's husband whom we never see, etc...). I'm sorry, but if I went to prison for keeping my mouth shut about someone who then tried to kill me when I got out, I think I'd have a bit more of a reaction than Danny does. Of course all of that's present just to stoke the building pressure cooker, and Danny does his best to keep it under control.
As in all of his previous roles, Day-Lewis delivers an impressive performance, and is quite believable as his character and as a boxer in his own right. Training with boxing consultant and former WBA World Featherweight Champion, Barry McGuigan for nearly two years, Day-Lewis looks and acts the part. He also creates a smoldering but nearly withdrawn character, and it's that very aspect that hurts our empathizing with him. Granted, it's what one would assume is a very accurate portrayal of a man who's been in prison for a decade and a half, but his reserved quality early on prevents us from really getting to know him and care for his plight (except from a distance).
That eventually comes around as the story progresses, but our connection to him is never full. I believe that was intentionally done by Sheridan and writer Terry George to make us put ourselves into his shoes. By presenting how Danny's been treated and his reluctance to enact for what many would consider appropriate revenge, we subconsciously step in for him. That technique works, but it always keeps his character at arm's length from us.
Emily Watson, who made such a big splash with her Oscar-nominated turn in last year's "Breaking the Waves," is also quite good in her role. Playing a woman caught in a less than desirable situation, Watson creates a sympathetic, and alternately weak, but also strong character. The supporting performances are all above par, even though Gerard McSorley is perhaps a bit too easily despicable as the villain, although his motivations are quite believable. Other stand-outs include Ken Stott as Danny's alcoholic trainer, and especially fourteen-year-old Ciaran Fitzgerald as Maggie's teenage son who's already been brainwashed into the IRA's terrorist ways.
The boxing matches themselves are well photographed by two-time Oscar winning cinematographer Chris Menges ("The Killing Fields" and "The Mission"). Seemingly realistic and narrowly avoiding the stereotypical "Rocky" reversal scenes (where one fighter is nearly pummeled to death and then somehow miraculously pounds the other guy, who then has that same miraculous recovery, etc...), these sequences are decent but not tremendously compelling (mainly because the opponents are anonymous).
Obviously the film uses boxing as a metaphor of the warring conflict between the Irish and the Protestants, and when Danny won't finish a pummeled boxer in the ring, it's symbolic of his withdrawal from the IRA and his general nonviolent stand (even though he's participating in a very violent sport). Of course Harry becomes his real foe, and Danny must then decide if and how he'll fight this formidable new opponent.
While it all sounds very interesting and intriguing (some of which it is), it never seemed to quite click for me. The performances are all decent and the set-up is good, but I never felt the spark — it just seemed as if something were missing. Obviously not everyone will feel that way, and many will love this film. Don't get me wrong — it's good — and there are several exciting and tense moments. Overall, however, the film never felt like it was running at full speed or on all cylinders, and thus leaves the impression that there could have been more.
Some of that can definitely be attributed to the film makers conspicuously leaving so many blanks for us to fill in. We never know Maggie's husband, or much of what really happened between Danny and Harry. Likewise, the boxing matches are less than compelling since we know nothing about the opponents. Perhaps if given the chance to see the film again, I might feel differently. As it stands, however, and on a first impression, "The Boxer" rates as just a 6.5 out of 10.