The only real problem Jim Sheridan has with THE BOXER is that he seems to be unable to inject much kinetic energy into the proceedings unlike IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER . Mind I`m not sure if that should be classed as criticism since ITNOTF played hard and loose with facts and was overly sensational , and do I have to remind anyone of the controversy with Sheridan`s previous movie effort with Terry George in SOME MOTHER`S SON ? So I guess THE BOXER could have been yet another movie where Britain gets the blame for Ireland`s troubles .
This is what I liked best about THE BOXER . the IRA terrorists seen here aren`t written as the brave and noble freedom fighters of so many Hollywood scripts , here they`re shown to be the worst type of gangster - People who feed on their own community . Yeah most of them want peace but that`s down to pragmatic reasons not down to any deeper morality . Anyone wanting to see a more objective drama centering around the secterian divide in Northern Ireland should watch this film . It`s not a film to watch over and over again but at least it`s a mature thoughtful drama on Ulster . It`s also well acted by the cast especially Ken Stott
This is what I liked best about THE BOXER . the IRA terrorists seen here aren`t written as the brave and noble freedom fighters of so many Hollywood scripts , here they`re shown to be the worst type of gangster - People who feed on their own community . Yeah most of them want peace but that`s down to pragmatic reasons not down to any deeper morality . Anyone wanting to see a more objective drama centering around the secterian divide in Northern Ireland should watch this film . It`s not a film to watch over and over again but at least it`s a mature thoughtful drama on Ulster . It`s also well acted by the cast especially Ken Stott