The boxer

Even Jim Sheridan's worst movie is better than most other Irish efforts. The boxer is another Troubles picture this time Day-Lewis leaves prison and reenters his commmunity. Except most don't want him back. He ruffles feathers by accepting gear from the police (boxing not drugs!) and gets intimate with a prisoner's wife. Tragedy ensues but not as expected. The problem with this movie is that we don't care what happens. It's another style-over-substance picture. Lots of scenes with something moving in the background (ships, cranes, helicopters) which distract the viewer. Lots of confusing scenes too (why does Day-Lewis and Watson visit the Loyalist side?) with washed-out cinematography. Bet the makers of Anton have seen this picture?