Strength and Honor

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Strength and Honor

R

2008

1h 31m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

6%

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17 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

While visiting his former boxing trainer Denis O'Leary (Richard Chamberlain), aging widower Sean Kelleher (Michael Madsen) hears about a bare-knuckle fight that could earn him the quarter million dollars he desperately needs to pay for a lifesaving operation for his ailing young son. But to win, Kelleher will have to break a promise to his late wife and risk his life in the ring against the bloodthirsty six-time champion, a wild-eyed fighter named Smasher O'Driscoll (Vinnie Jones).

Boston Globe

Rated: 2/4

Oct 18, 2008

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Drew Toal

Time Out

Rated: 2/6

Oct 18, 2008

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Frank Scheck

The Hollywood Reporter

Director-screenwriter Mark Mahon is unable to inject any freshness whatsoever into this highly formulaic genre piece, though he has elicited several good performances.

Dec 13, 2007

Full Review

Martin Tsai

New York Sun

It’s as if novice writer-director Mark Mahon aspires to be the next Jim Sheridan, but winds up a poor man’s Terry George.

Apr 21, 2023

Full Review

Jules Brenner

Cinema Signals

Not even a contender for the DVD bins, to which it'll be banished before the eight count.

Rated: 1/5

Dec 8, 2007

Full Review

Cathy Suhocki

TV Guide

For the most part the film moves along at a nice clip and provides an interesting glimpse inside the endlessly fascinating world of the Travellers.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 7, 2007

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Audience Member

I love Michael but he gotta stop making crazy movies

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The characters announce what's going on in thick Oirish accents. "Ah jaysus the big foight's tomorrow Boss." Ah shur don't be talkin', isn't me son doiyin' o' cancers be the hokey begob zzzzzz. "Ah yer havin' a flashback then Boss." Genius.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Desperately predictable, cheap, and condescending. So frustrating as the themes of the film could have led to a genuinely decent film (if written, directed and produced by completely different people). Only positives were the very short scene with the comic genius Pat Shortt, the passion of Fitzpatrick (despite impressively poor dialogue), and Madsen's quiet, dignified portrayal of the (lack of) character he was given to work with.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A movie with heart and a good story about a dad and his young son and the dad having to do something he promised not to do after a freak accident however after his son becomes ill and goes to the Doc they find out that he needs a operation and the dad has to raise the money by bare knuckle fighting and the story revolves around that whole concept. Vinny Jones plays his role too a tee however Michael Madsen does play the concerned father and fighter well its just when he trys to have the accent of the English it does not work kinda off and on. It's like listening to broken English. A nice movie however it may not be for everyone.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

After half an hour,thought this was going to be one of the worst movies ever,but then seemed to pick up a bit,good to see Madsen back in a half descent movie and Vinnie Jones gives one of the most over the top performances ever as King of the Gypsies.Well worth a look

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

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Audience Member

Michael Madsen perform ok. Vinnie Jones on the other hand is a master in role of a mean bully.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

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Mark Mahon

Director

Michael Madsen

Actor

Vinnie Jones

Actor

Patrick Bergin

Actor

Richard Chamberlain

Actor

Michael Rawley

Chaser McGrath

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Synopsis

While visiting his former boxing trainer Denis O'Leary (Richard Chamberlain), aging widower Sean Kelleher (Michael Madsen) hears about a bare-knuckle fight that could earn him the quarter million dollars he desperately needs to pay for a lifesaving operation for his ailing young son. But to win, Kelleher will have to break a promise to his late wife and risk his life in the ring against the bloodthirsty six-time champion, a wild-eyed fighter named Smasher O'Driscoll (Vinnie Jones).

Director: Mark Mahon
Producer: Mark Mahon
Screenwriter: Mark Mahon
Rating: R (Some Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 31m