Danny Flynn (Daniel Day-Lewis) is released from prison after over 14 years of incarceration for his activities with the IRA. He hardly receives a hero's welcome back into the community and makes a decision to turn his back on his past and instead open a non-sectarian boxing gym for all back in his old Belfast neighbourhood. He is helped by his alcoholic former trainer, Ike (Ken Stott) and renew his career as a boxer, but his past is less willing to let him go. When he tries to re-new his relationship with his old girlfriend, Maggie (Emily Watson) who is also married to an incarcerated IRA prisoner, the pair try to keep their relationship a secret.
Day-Lewis, as usual, simmers in this third Irish film he has made with director Jim Sheridan (the other two being MY LEFT FOOT,1989, and IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, 1993). The background to the film is quite timely, released just months before the signing of the Good Friday Agreement as the more radical elements of sectarian militancy were finding themselves increasingly isolated. The mix of boxing drama with the background of the Troubles makes for a heady and fascinating mix with some good support, especially by the ever reliable Brian Cox.
Day-Lewis, as usual, simmers in this third Irish film he has made with director Jim Sheridan (the other two being MY LEFT FOOT,1989, and IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, 1993). The background to the film is quite timely, released just months before the signing of the Good Friday Agreement as the more radical elements of sectarian militancy were finding themselves increasingly isolated. The mix of boxing drama with the background of the Troubles makes for a heady and fascinating mix with some good support, especially by the ever reliable Brian Cox.