The Boxer (1997)

Phipps finds the film thoroughly engrossing and praises how it avoids becoming heavy-handed or one-sided. He singles out Day-Lewis and Watson’s quietly fiery performances and the story’s depth and complexity.

The review calls the film intelligent, moving, and masterfully told, praising its balanced portrayal of a society struggling with change. It singles out Daniel Day-Lewis’s restrained performance and the interwoven love story, while finding the boxing scenes less convincing.

Nathan finds the film powerful and resonant despite Sheridan’s shorthand direction and overly cosy message. He particularly praises the performances and the unforgettable scene of Liam at the army cordon.

Ebert gives the film a positive but measured assessment. He singles out the performances and the restrained handling of its political and personal conflicts.

The headline frames the film as seeking hope amid Ulster’s suffering. The review text is inaccessible, so its verdict and specific praise or complaint cannot be determined.

The available page identifies this as a review but does not reveal the critic’s verdict. Its metadata describes Flynn’s return to Belfast after prison and the hostility he faces.

The critic calls the drama admirable but rather conventional. Daniel Day-Lewis’s performance is singled out as its highlight.

McCarthy finds the film involving but prosaic, with enough punch to hold audience interest. He praises its vivid depiction of divisions within the IRA, while criticizing the underdeveloped central romance.

The critic strongly praises the film’s courageous, unsentimental portrayal of Northern Ireland’s conflict. They single out Daniel Day-Lewis’s performance as especially committed and emotionally powerful.