Andrew McMurtryREVIEW: Strength and Honour (2007)
Rating: $9.50
Strength and Honour begins on a sad note. However, it sets up the Irish drama for the next 90 minutes. And although rather predictable, it is a well-made, yet simplistic film. Michael Madsen plays Sean Kelleher, a widowed ex-boxer, who finds out his son Michael will die if he can’t raise $300,000 needed for an experimental surgery in America. On top of that, he has to sell his house and become part of a traveller’s caravan community. His last hope is taking up boxing again to fight in a tournament, where he will come up against sinister six-time champion Smasher O’Driscoll (Vinnie Jones).
The film draws parallels with other boxing films such as Rocky and Cinderella Man but also Fight Club and Never Back Down. While better than the latter film, you know right from the outset there will be a fight between Kelleher and O’Driscoll for Michael’s life. Because of this, the film becomes overly sentimental in parts. It also gives the feeling we’ve seen it all before. Despite this, it is still a nice experience, although clichéd.
There are some serious issues the film touches on, but doesn’t go into depth about. It seems strange when the same type of film has been made so many times before that they wouldn’t try to find a new spin. With the prospect of losing his child, Sean doesn’t even try anything else to raise the money, despite his wife’s final request that he doesn’t get back in the ring. American actor Michael Madsen as the main character in this film may raise some eyebrows as well, especially due to his struggle with the accent, although his mother is of Irish decent. All in all, Strength and Honour feels a bit rushed and could do with some originality but survives a disappointing opening to offer a heart-warming experience.
Strength and Honour begins on a sad note. However, it sets up the Irish drama for the next 90 minutes. And although rather predictable, it is a well-made, yet simplistic film. Michael Madsen plays Sean Kelleher, a widowed ex-boxer, who finds out his son Michael will die if he can’t raise $300,000 needed for an experimental surgery in America. On top of that, he has to sell his house and become part of a traveller’s caravan community. His last hope is taking up boxing again to fight in a tournament, where he will come up against sinister six-time champion Smasher O’Driscoll (Vinnie Jones).
The film draws parallels with other boxing films such as Rocky and Cinderella Man but also Fight Club and Never Back Down. While better than the latter film, you know right from the outset there will be a fight between Kelleher and O’Driscoll for Michael’s life. Because of this, the film becomes overly sentimental in parts. It also gives the feeling we’ve seen it all before. Despite this, it is still a nice experience, although clichéd.
