If you don't have a good grasp of the Provisional Irish Republican Army or power struggles in Ireland, this movie won't be the one to describe it to you. Daniel Day-Lewis gives a nice performance as Danny Flynn and is matched well by Emily Watson as Maggie, but most of the story goes over my head without prior knowledge. Boxing seems slightly disconnected from the overall crux of the film, though clearly religion and the non-sectarian nature of the boxing club come into focus. I personally don't think the film knew if it was a sports movie or a romance film, and it failed to be either to me. I give The Boxer a 6/10.
