User Reviews

When I stuck SHADOWBOXER on I wasn't quite sure what to expect. What I got was a lame action comedy with a large cast of bizarre characters and plenty of graphic sex scenes which add nothing to the storyline and do nothing for the viewer either. The result is one of the weirdest, most amateurish Hollywood films I've seen, a frankly embarrassing blot on the careers of those involved.

A slumming-it Cuba Gooding Jr. plays a top assassin who just so happens to be having an affair with the miscast Helen Mirren, another assassin who is dying of cancer. Just a word about Mirren in this film: horrible. Her sex scenes with Gooding Jr. are frankly one of the most excruciating things I can remember watching in recent years and merely mentioning them makes me shudder. I don't know why these posh British actresses keep getting cast in action movies (Mirren went on to be in the RED films and Emily Blunt is another) but they stand out like sore thumbs and are always very wooden and unconvincing.

The rest of the film is a mish-mash of supposed funny scenes, violence, and plenty of bad taste. Poor old Stephen Dorff plays the villain of the piece and has an embarrassing nude scene. The script is terrible with dialogue that rings hollow throughout. The less said about Macy Gray and Joseph Gordon-Levitt the better. SHADOWBOXER is the kind movie I wish I'd never had the misfortune to see.

Lee Daniels (Monster's Ball, The Woodsmen) doesn't seem to know what to do with this script of a story by William Lipz that has so many incongruities that it simply becomes a muddled mélange of criminal psychology, sociological misfits, and ruminations on the presence of a greater meaning to all the wild madness that eventually drowns the characters. One wonders why such enormously gifted actors such as Helen Mirren and Cuba Gooding, Jr. ever accepted roles if they read the script beforehand.

A very mature and cancer-ridden Rose (Helen Mirren, who can truly make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!) is a professional assassin who has raised Mikey (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) to be her co-assassin as well as her very young lover. The two function well as a team and succeed in making a handsome living by killing people to whom they are assigned by a wheelchair-ridden broker. But when one of the marks is big time crime boss Clayton (Stephen Dorff at his most buff to date, eye candy persona) and his wife Vickie (Vanessa Ferlito), all goes well until Rose faces the problem that Vickie is pregnant, a fact that seems to create a sense of guilt and loss and causes her not only to spare her and also to deliver the male child. After calling in a corrupt doctor Dr. Don (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and is lover/nurse Precious (Mo'Nique) to help them out, Rose and Mikey harbor the new mother and child and sequester themselves to raise the child, a life style that allows Mikey to continue his assassin jobs while Rose finds happiness raising the young boy. But of course eventually the evil Clayton disrupts the flow of goodwill, gains information from the Precious after an adulterous office tryst, and it is face to face between Clayton and his wife and son and Rose and Mikey. The ending defies sharing, not only because it would mar the viewer's watching, but it borders on surrealistic bizarre images that are of questionable taste.

During all of this convoluted story we are given flashbacks that attempt to fill in the interstices in the plot: Mikey's relationship to his father, his first killing, Rose's introduction into crime etc. Granted there are some moments of quiet and beauty in all of this mess, but the true reason for sitting through it is the always satisfying presence of Helen Mirren (who actually gets us to believe her preposterous character and motivation) and Cuba Gooding, Jr. (who needs to change agents to get roles more important and conducive to his gifts). With so many fine stories waiting to be made into film one wonders why drivel such as this makes it to the screen on time! Grady Harp

This movie was pretentious and mediocre, at best. I liked the performances by Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Helen Mirren, and a decent job by Vanessa Ferlito (who I found difficult to enjoy when she appeared in season 3 of "24"). But the direction and cinematography were cloying and manipulative. There were all these hazy, diffused, slow-motion images of leaves falling and sun glinting and naked bodies rolling around in bed or on the ground. I think the director is one of many contemporary, pedestrian filmmakers whose only means of depicting emotion is a close-up of an actor emoting, and whose only means for showing intimacy between actors is a sex scene. Eventually, though, even though I admired Gooding's performance, I got tired of seeing the soft-focused, beefcake photography of his naked or semi-naked body.

And the writing fairly sucked, too. Not only was this yet another movie about an aging, dying assassin questioning his/her moral status and the existence of God, but the movie constantly brought up plot points and character conflicts that it, seemingly, had no interest in. What exactly is Gooding's relationship with Mirren? Who is the Gooding character? Is he anything other than a weird, incestuous, lover/son/boy-toy and business associate of Mirren's? There were other points that needed exploring as well, but the movie seemed to have no problem forgetting them, so I've already forgotten them as well. And there were other things, too, like elements of the story that were purely for the sake of narrative convenience. Like the entire character played by Stephen Dorff. I keep looking forward to the day when we get fed-up with movies that must establish early on that their villains are irredeemably evil sadists who deserve any horrible fate that awaits them in the final reel. But Daniels apparently doesn't think we've gotten to that point, yet. Another unexplained narrative convenience is the 5-6 years that pass in an instant so that the child in the movie is suddenly about 7-8 years old. I think the only reason for this is so that the kid is old enough to use a gun well enough to emerge as the filius ex machina at the end of the movie. Meanwhile, every other character, conflict, and relationship in the movie is in suspended animation while the kid gets old enough to be the budding little button man that he eventually becomes.

I guess that's one of my gripes. I think this could have been a better movie (still derivative, but stronger) if it had allowed Gooding's character to be the main character in the movie. But instead of revealing his character, all Daniels managed to do was to reveal was his stony face, rock-hard biceps, and trim buttocks. I didn't get anything close to a satisfying glimpse of what made him who he was, other than the clichéd childhood traumas concerning his hit-man father. But even if that was the anchor issue in his life, the movie doesn't reveal Gooding working through it or even the extent to which it matters to him. Apparently, the movie thinks this pop-psych backstory is important, since the movie ends with Gooding's life echoing in that of surrogate son, but since I never quite know what Gooding's childhood meant to him, I don't really care about what it might mean to the monstrous little Anthony who has magically learned to kill and be fine with it.

My sense is that in this film's rush to be important, it missed every opportunity to be "important" (whatever that means) as well as the chance just to be entertaining. It could have focused fruitfully on either Mirren's character or Gooding's, but instead it flitted from Mirren to Dorff to Gooding to the doctor and Mo'Nique, etc. I'm curious to see what happens when this movie gets out into the world (apparently in June). I can't imagine it being a wide release, but in the art house circuit it will compare very unfavorably to movies that are better directed and better written.

"Shadowboxer" (2005)

Directed By: Lee Daniels

Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr., Helen Mirren, Stephen Dorff, Vanessa Ferlito, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Mo'Nique, & Macy Gray

MPAA Rating: "R" (for strong graphic violence and sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use)

Every year, at least one actress gives the definitive performance of her lifetime. It is the performance she will be remembered for forever. Last year, we had Reese Witherspoon and Felicity Huffman in the two best female performances of the year. This year, it was very obvious that it would Helen Mirren's year to rule. People everywhere were buzzing about her phenomenal performance and the Academy Award seemed like a definite. That performance…was not in "Shadowboxer". It was in "The Queen". "Shadowboxer" is the movie that Helen Mirren will look back on with shame. I really was looking forward to "Shadowboxer". I'm a huge fan of Helen Mirren, and Cuba Gooding Jr. has done enough work to more than prove that he is competent (granted, "Boat Trip" was enough to discredit anyone). I even must admit that I have always thought that Mo'Nique is a good actress with a horrible choice in movies and the same goes for Stephen Dorff (hey, at least he has done some good films in the past). Lee Daniel was a first time director, but I was kind of excited to see a fresh face. He had already produced some phenomenal movies so I was thrilled to see what he would bring to the director's chair. So, what went wrong? Ah well, so many things just didn't work. This movie was a full-fledged disaster.

This movie had a shockingly preposterous plot. It was awkward, clumsily-executed, and had me chuckling in disbelief (this was not a good thing). What started as a bleak, cheerless drama quickly descended into melodramatic schlock with a cheesy, predictable ending. Rose (Mirren) and Mikey (Gooding) are two assassins who have been having an affair for quite some time. Mikey is also Rose's stepson (I can't make this stuff up). She is also dying of cancer. When vicious crime lord, Clayton (Dorff), hires Rose and Mikey to kill his supposedly unfaithful wife, the two agree without much hesitation…until Rose discovers that his wife, Vickie (Ferlito), is pregnant. Unexpectedly emotional, Rose cannot bring herself to kill the pregnant woman who just happens to go into labor as Rose arrives. Rose delivers the baby (because, you know, every hired assassin is trained in delivering babies) and, along with Mikey, takes Vickie and her child with them and the four begin a strange family (if "family" is the correct terminology). That is until Clayton finds out what happened and comes after them. Did I also mention that there is a doctor named Dr. Don (Gordon-Levitt) who assists them and who is dating Precious (Mo'Nique). This relationship is actually one of the most unnecessary and time-consuming aspects of the movie. I didn't buy it for one second, but I'll come back to that later. What could have been an intriguing plot (with some tweaking) turns into ninety-three minutes of painfully-obvious garbage.

The performances in "Shadowboxer" are actually quite good, all things considering. Helen Mirren is a fascinating actress. Watching her work is just an amazing experience every time and there is absolutely no difference here. She embraces the role and delivers the only character we can really care about. Cuba Gooding Jr. is also a good actor…but he has made mistake after mistake in choosing movie roles and "Shadowboxer" may very well be his biggest mistake yet. Granted his performance works, the movie just gives him nothing interesting to do or say. He populates such a dull, lifeless character that it bewilders me as to how he came off as credible as he did. Stephen Dorff another good actor (in my opinion) who really can't pick good movies--I mean, really, "Alone in the Dark" and "FeardotCom"! Here, he embraces his inner villain and comes off as a genuinely vile man (albeit clichéd and stereotypical). He made me hate him so his performance worked. Vanessa Ferlito is endearing and sympathetic. I felt for her character and felt that she was really the only relatable character in the bunch. She did a fine job. She did a fine job. Mo'Nique…well, well, well, she stars in yet another horrendous movie from 2006 (technically, this is a 2005 film, but I am counting it as a 2006 because it was released in 2006). Again, she does a nice job, but no one is going to take her seriously if she doesn't start choosing roles that people actually care to see.

I found myself disliking this movie so much that it surprised me. This movie is not as bad as such movies as "Little Man" and "Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector", but it appears to be worse. Why? Because, "Little Man" recognized the fact that it was not a good movie and was just ridiculous. "Shadowboxer" is so shockingly pretentious and self-loving that you can almost hear the filmmakers singing, "We are smart and wonderful! We will definitely win the Oscar!" in the background. But, this movie deserves nothing in terms of positive recognition. It deserves to be forgotten and dropped to the very bottom of the five dollar bin at Wal-Mart right beside "Little Man" and "Rest Stop" and "Phat Girlz". It is such a shame because it has a good cast and a promising fresh director. But, in the end, it doesn't matter how good a movie SHOULD have been…if the end product is nothing short of rubbish.

Final Thought: An overly-weird and downright awkward "thriller" with only one thing to offer: good performances.

Overall Rating: 2/10 (C-)

i rented this film for one reason: Helen Mirren. As far as i'm concerned, she is perfect every time and in Shadow Boxer she dominates the screen. I had heard that, after films like Boat Trip, that Cuba Gooding was also very good in this film, and that he had hit his stride again. I didn't feel that way. i found his performance one note and humourless, with character contradictions which were less than convincing. And the character of Vicki seemed contrived and hard to believe. The film basically ended for me after Ms Mirren's demise. I lost interest afterwards. The screen play teased us with glimpses of what made these characters who they were, particularly Cuba's character Mikey. OK, so there was irony in her "death", with history repeating itself. But we aren't allowed to fully understand these characters because Lee Daniels appears to have only a passing interest himself. I don't see myself watching this film again.

Nearly all the professional critics panned this film, saying how over-the-top violent it is from start to finish (not true; there is violence but not throughout), how convoluted the story is (it's very easy to follow - you'd have to be an idiot not to be able to understand what's going on), how bad the acting is (an outright lie), and how gross the sex scenes between Helen Mirren and Cuba Gooding Jr are (they worked for me). Maybe in a few years or so, more people will discover this movie for themselves and find out how really good it actually is.

The film has a palpable doomed sort of atmosphere, which serves the project brilliantly, since all the major characters are seriously compromised in one way or another. This is a dark story, brought to life magnificently by everyone concerned. Helen Mirren brings the full brunt of her amazing ability to tap into the humanity of any character she portrays, Cuba Gooding Jr is perfect in a role that finally allows him to display at least some of his depth, Joseph Gordon-Levitt shines as always, Dorff comes through as he always does; even Macy Gray is good in this movie and I am not a fan.

The problem, I think, is that the critics were comparing this to other movies, specifically Quentin Tarantino's, and this is completely unfair. Shadowboxer creates its own reality, in which it functions very convincingly for the duration of the experience. I suggest you get a copy of the DVD, as I did, and discover it for yourself.

Now we know what a big budget Ed Wood movie would look like. Working from a script by an Academy Award nominated writer, with two Academy Award winning actors and a Spirit Award nominated cinematographer, director Lee Daniels manages to deliver a laughable mess. The story seems to take place in some bizarro world where everyone wears too much makeup, Doogie Howser lives with a grotesque crackhead, and most of the gangsters act like girlie boys. Cuba Gooding, Jr. spends most of the move looking annoyed or embarrassed. Joseph Gordon Levitt, Monique and Stephen Dorff give game performances, but even the great Helen Mirren can't overcome Daniels' ham-handed direction. While Shadowboxer displays all of Ed Wood's incompetence and unintentional humor, it has none of the charm that made Mr. Wood a cult favorite.

...to find something to like about this movie. However, I came away from it realizing that it was just time that I would never get back. I can think of nothing good about this film.

Is Cuba good in this film? Maybe - as far as the role can go.

Is Helen any good in this film? She was just that - Helen Mirren - nothing special. Extremely low key.

How about Steven Dorff? Oh great! Another psychotic! And one that we get to see bang some cheapo slut. That's worth the admission (rolls eyes).

Levitt & Mo'nique? The only couple odder than Mirren & Gooding. I could almost believe Mirren & Gooding.

This film debases everybody in it. It debases us for even watching it. The nudity basically sums up to seeing a WHOLE lot more of Gooding than anybody needed, Dorff proving that he can have sex & immediately kill somebody (why need clothes for that?) & just the thought of Levitt & Mo'nique (Arrgh!).

Was the sex/murder scene in the garden supposed to be some kind of mood homage to Excalibur (which Helen was in)? I can hear the conversation now: "So, Cuba. We're going to have you having sex with this women 30 years older than you in a field. And then, while you're still in, you'll put a gun to her head & pull the trigger! And then, you bury her in the middle of the night, all the time naked as a jay bird.

And then we have the stereotyping of Macy Gray's role. Where was Jessie Jackson for that one?

All this doesn't even touch the warping of the young boy. By the end of the movie, he's seen his perceived father cleaning his weapon (in itself, not a bad thing), we are led to believe that he has some understanding of Mikey's "profession" and, finally, he gets to kill his real father. That look in his face at the end warns of a future serial killer well in the making.

Please, save yourself. Leave this "film" alone. Let it die. It won't be a dignified death but, at least it will die.

Cuba Gooding Jr and Helen Mirren are hit men lovers who fail to kill a pregnant woman and so take it on the lamb.

Good but unremarkable noirish tale isn't worth much beyond being a time killer. Its clear why Mirren took the role which contrasts with her recent award winning ones. What works in the film is that it kind of confounds expectations. Things don't go as planned and the actors are seemingly playing against type. Who ever thought of pairing Cuba Gooding with Mirren should be rewarded since it keeps things interesting from the get go. While I certain think ts worth seeing, I'd wait to run across it on cable