Product Details

• Actors: Cuba Gooding Jr., Helen Mirren, Vanessa Ferlito, Macy Gray, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
• Directors: Lee Daniels
• Writers: William Lipz
• Producers: Brook Lenfest, Chase Lenfest, Damon Dash, Dave Robinson, Dawn Lenfest
• Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Code Black Ent
• DVD Release Date: November 7, 2006
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000HRMAUY
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,622 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Shadowboxer" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Shadowboxer is an emotionally-charged, full-throttle thriller, which delves deep into the harsh underworld of organized crime and uncovers the complex lives of trained assassins, Mikey (Cuba Gooding Jr.) and Rose (Helen Mirren). But when a brutal crime boss wants his wife dead, Rose decides against killing the pregnant woman. Instead, the three begin a harrowing life on the run. Driven by fierce love, Rose and Mikey protect their adopted family from present danger – looking to redeem their tragic past.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hit Me With Your Best Shot, October 31, 2006

By 

Mel Odom (Moore, OK USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shadowboxer (DVD)

When Rose (Helen Mirren, PRIME SUSPECT), a professional hitwoman, decides to renege on a contract and let an intended corpse and her baby live, her partner Mikey (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) knows their world is about to change drastically. They've been partners since he was a kid and she was the woman who partnered with his father on professional killings. She taught him everything about the art of killing. Clayton (Stephen Dorff), the crime boss who hired them to kill his wife and unborn child, is a truly psychotic animal. The problem is, Rose is dying of cancer and wants to leave something good behind. And she believes it will be this child.

Lee Daniels directed the movie as well as MONSTER'S BALL, another ethnic thriller that slammed audiences with sex and violence and gave Halle Berry the chance to win an Academy Award. Helen Mirren starred in the PRIME SUSPECT seasons on the BBC as well as THE QUEEN. Cuba Gooding, Jr. has been in several movies, including JERRY MAGUIRE, MEN OF HONOR, and SNOW DOGS. Stephen Dorff starred in BLADE and COVERT ONE: THE HADES FACTOR.

The film showcased developing characters and a telescoped plot that spread over years. Viewers are forced to read between the lines on some of the continuity, and to make judgment calls where the characters and action are concerned. The fascinating thing about the film is the dichotomy of how caring and how cold-blooded Rose and Mikey are, and the horror of Vickie's situation, never truly able to take care of herself or her child. Normally a film like this carries the views along on action alone, but there was a depth of character that allowed for fascination to set it. I simply couldn't stop watching to see how things came out, and on more than one occasion I didn't see a twist coming till it slammed me between the eyes.

There is a lot of sexuality, nudity, and violence in the movie, but it's genuine and real. Not gratuitious. This is a world of violent people, and it's presented with the carnality that's in that world.

SHADOWBOXER is a different kind of crime film. It has a lot of film noir elements, but they're presented in a different mix. If you liked A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, you'll probably enjoy SHADOWBOXER.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Twisted Love Story!!!, November 14, 2006

By 

C. Herron "CherylJ" (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shadowboxer (DVD)

It blows my mind how such an excellent action packed twisted movie came through the theaters without a trace. I was glued to my seat throughout the entire movie. I was just blown away with the twisted love relationship between Cuba Goodin and Helen Mirren. All I can say is see it for yourself and you be the judge. This movie will go into my collection...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Darkness and light, a part of life!, June 25, 2009

By 

Ankur Mukherjee - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shadowboxer (DVD)

The film is quite unusual, but overwhelming enough to have my eyes glued and had my attention maintained on the screen. The film has one of the best onscreen chemistries you will really enjoy. "Shadowboxer" the very film is based on Mafia and Underworld, But there is something that makes it different from just another action flicks, the film throws enough light on life and relationships. Miren and Gooding has an excellent chemistry, having the unusual relationship yet so strong, so beautiful to watch. The film is dark, erotic, moreover very flamboyant and you will definately not be bored at all. The film has many moments to have you sit back and just admire the charecters. The film has such a lot to offer! They make you feel their joy, pain, grief, they make you think how it would be to be in their shoes. They make you think if life has dark stormy nights, it also welcomes warm sunny days. Its a film worth watching more than once. Very genuine, neat and decent filmmaking here!