Review of The Boxer (1997) by Bruno L — 28 Aug 2010

I think I do enjoy Ol' Danny Boy when he's more ferocious and in addition to that framed in a variety of ways. Scorsese has proven he knows how to make the most out of the actors he uses. Even Paul Thomas Anderson gave his own spin to Day-Lewis' outrageous explosions. Here he is much, much more timid, and he is framed very, very plainly. I didn't think Sheridan's direction was very interesting, but I guess what I appreciate most is that the plot treads well within the realm of plausibility, while the music has its way of accentuating the moments that there is music, while rarely overstepping its bounds. Never did I question a turn in plot. Everything that happens is foreseeable while still not predictable the first time through.

The performances I honestly enjoyed the most were from Ken Stott, Gerard McSorley, and Brian Cox. Personally I don't think Daniel Day-Lewis or Emily Watson fit in here. The characters they are noticeably good at playing tend to be very... colorful. So I had some issues with the film, usually when Danny Boy and Watson were pitted together. Though maybe that's the point, to highlight these two people caught in the middle of this bitter struggle. Honestly, for me, the real magic was in the supporting characters that created the tragic environment surrounding them. That is especially when McSorley really made a silent loose cannon out of his character Harry.