The Boxer
Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
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  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Edward Guthmann
    100
    It's a tribute to Day-Lewis that he can play a character like Danny -- cautious, withdrawn, inarticulate -- and endow him an eloquence and grace that aren't dependent on language. Without him, The Boxer might still be a powerful tale of loyalty and love, with a core of moral complexity; with Day-Lewis in the lead, it approaches greatness.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Keith Phipps
    90
    Through quietly fiery performances by Day-Lewis and Watson, as well as novel-like depth and complexity, The Boxer not only avoids these pitfalls but emerges as a thoroughly engrossing movie.
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Elvis Mitchell
    90
    Mr. Day-Lewis, looking wearily rugged and battling his way through several plausible boxing matches, once again breathes fire into the character of a high-minded loner, and his vitality lends real force to the film's moral arguments.
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    83
    Writer-director Jim Sheridan, co-screenwriter Terry George, and Sheridan's favorite actor (and Oscar winner for My Left Foot) Daniel Day-Lewis reunite in The Boxer with a mellower political message that translates, roughly, into ''Can't we all just get along?''

User Reviews

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User Score
7.5 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. TTW107
    7
    I had to watch this for an Ireland Culture class and I was not looking forward to it at all. To my surprise this is a very gripping film. It really makes you think how screwed up Ireland was during the troubles and the hardships of life with so much violence and corruption in Northern Ireland. If you are looking to learn more about Ireland I highly recommend this movie.… Full Review »
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