 When asked to name that year 's notable indie films and directors , famed film critic Roger Ebert stated " First @-@ time director Eddie O ’ Flaherty was able to work outside the system to make Fighting Tommy Riley , a film that I think can play in any theater or any multiplex . And yet it ’ s a boxing picture that is quite different from any formula boxing picture you ’ ve ever seen . In the final analysis , it ’ s not even really about boxing . " 
