THE BOXER
Ireland, 1997, 113 minutes, Colour.
Daniel Day Lewis, Emily Watson, Brian Cox, Gerard Mc Sorley, Ken Stott.
Directed by Jim Sheridan.
Daniel Day Lewis was impressive in My Left Foot and in In the Name of the Father. He joins with writer-director, Jim Sheridan, for the third time in The Boxer. It deals with the Irish troubles in Belfast as did 1997's Some Mothers Sons from Terry George (co-writer of this film).. The view is very critical of Unionist stances but is also condemnatory of the hard-line, old-brigade IRA.
This is strong material, more topical today that when it was filmed over a year ago. It is illuminating and emotional. The acting is convincing, not only Day Lewis as a boxer, gaoled at 18, but now wanting to set up a centre that crosses the political boundaries, but Ken Stott as his alcoholic trainer and Gerard Mc Sorley, menacing and frightening as the unbending para-military commander. Grim, but worth seeing.
1. The title, the focus on boxing, in the Irish context, Danny as a fighter?
2. The work of Jim Sheridan and Terry George, their films about The Troubles? The film released in 1997, the year of the Treaty?
3. Belfast, Northern Ireland, East Belfast, Catholics, the IRA, the look of the city and the suburbs, the homes, the gymnasium, the church? The contrast with the Protestants in the British? Possibilities for peace?
4. Daniel Day Lewis as Danny, intense, boxing in prison, 14 years, his past with the IRA, with Harry, with Joe, the relationship with Maggie, aged 19, 14 years in prison, getting out, still loving Maggie? The encounter with Ike, his drunken attack, talking with him sober, the plan, the gymnasium, the hopes, getting the equipment out, drawing the kids, the training, the balance, the fight for Danny, the crowds, open for Protestants and Catholics? The reading out of the names of the deceased, their parents present? The Protestant couple amongst the Catholics and the acclaim?
5. Danny, his personal life, his love for Maggie, meeting her, her reactions, remembering the past, her marrying his best friend, the breakdown of the marriage, her pregnancy, Liam and his age? Her husband in prison? Liam overhearing the two talking, his fear that Dannny would take his mother away, the brawl after the bout, burning the equipment, burning down the gym? His apologies to his grandfather? The aftermath?
6. Joe, ageing, his dominance in the past, love for Maggie, for Liam, his respect for Danny, Danny saving Harry and going to prison? His continued control, working for the peace treaty, the final decision for Harry’s death?
7. Harry, the hardliners, vindictive, unable to accept peace, men of violence, his wife and support? Confronting Danny, confronting Joe, the bout, the police the gift of the equipment, the bond on the policeman’s car? The brawl? His standing up to Joe? The decision to kill Danny, under the bridge, the shooters killing Harry?
8. The range of henchman, those surrounding Joe, their loyalties, their past? Harry and his hard men? Taking sides, instilling fear, the violence, the bashing of Danny?
9. Ike, his life, boxing, training, the bout and peace, taking the equipment, the brawl, the bond, the burning down of the gym, Harry’s interventions and killing Ike?
10. The picture of the British, their stances, the military, wanting violence? The bout and the brawl and the intervention of the police? Quelling the riot?
11. Danny, his stances, wanting to be independent, his past, confronting Harry? Joe confronting him, the issue with Maggie? The decision to go to England, the British manager, having the bout in London, the wealthy coming to witness the bout, the hard fight? His walking out?
12. The return home, Maggie and Joe, Liam, his not being killed? The future? The perspective of 1997?
