MY favorite memory of Rich ard Chamberlain is as Tchaikovsky in Ken Russell’s campy “The Music Lovers” from way back in 1970. Others will remember the actor as a TV heartthrob in the early ’60s. It’s a safe bet that nobody will remember the 73-year-old for “Strength and Honour,” in which he plays a boxing coach.
Michael Madsen leads as Sean Kelleher, a boxer in Ireland who accidentally kills a friend in the ring and swears off fighting forever. But forever is a long time, and when his young son needs experimental surgery that could save his life, Sean steps back into the ring to raise cash.
Under Mark Mahon’s by-the-numbers direction, “Strength and Honour” is a standard soaper that might be helpful to watch when you’re suffering from insomnia some night. But it definitely isn’t worth the $11 that theaters charge (not to mention the rip-off prices for popcorn and soda).
Running time: 104 minutes. Rated R (some violence). At the Quad, 13th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues.