Boxer The creative tandem of the Irish director Jim Sheridan and actor Daniel Day-Lewis gave the world cinema several significant films. The biographical drama My Left Foot brought them popularity and became an important event for Irish cinema. Then followed the political drama In the Name of the Father, which caused a great public outcry and received many awards. We have before us their final joint project, in which they returned to the topic of the conflict in Northern Ireland.
The title of the film may mislead some viewers. After all, this is not a story about an athlete, not his ups and downs, nor overcoming difficulties on the way to the top of the boxing Olympus. This is a political drama, but the main theme of the film is revealed in a non-trivial way. The national conflict is illustrated by the example of a common man, a boxer and a former member of the IRA (Irish Republican Army). After serving a long prison term, he returns home and now he must return to normal life, as well as rethink his past. In addition, the picture tells about love, sentimental melodrama, but there is practically no romanticism. Elements of sports drama are present, but they only complement the main story, not the central line.
The film raises a wide range of issues. This is the socio-political situation, national conflict and open armed confrontation. Religious conflict is also important. The enmity of Catholics and Protestants is openly shown. The split within the IRA itself is also shown, some are tired of bloodshed and want to establish peace, while others are radical and see no other option but violence. As always, the director touched upon an important social topic.
But the main thing here is the figure of the main character Danny Flynn. No wonder he is a boxer, because it personifies the ancient archetype of a fighter - a warrior. His imprisonment completely changed his outlook. Danny starts boxing in the ring again, tries to live a quiet life and does not want to delve into bad things. However, love becomes a catalyst for subsequent problems. The picture is shot in gray tones, depressive style, which brings it closer to the harsh reality. Perfectly staged scenes of boxing matches, they are few, but they are made with knowledge.
Once again, his outstanding acting talent showed Daniel Day-Lewis. Always as much as possible to get used to the image, he did not retreat this time. The actor went through a real training camp and learned boxing techniques. In addition, he managed to accurately reflect the inner world of his character, his experiences and emotions. The second plane is not full of stars of the first magnitude, but makes an exceptionally positive impression.
The boxer is an original picture, which successfully combines elements of social and political drama, psychological melodrama and sports film. The director unconventionally opens the wounds of British society, showing the conflict, both from the national and religious sides. But the main thing here is a person and his attempt to adapt to the harsh reality, as well as to live a simple life. This story is not about a boxer and his career, but about ordinary people living in the middle of conflict and tired of violence.
8 out of 10