Movie Review: The Boys are Back (2009)
It's not the Oscar-worthy cinema it wants to be, but it works
Photo: Miramax
Miramax is positioning The Boys are Back as a potential Oscar vehicle for Clive Owen. My suggestion would be to go into it forgetting about the hope for high praise and you will find a mildly unique entry in the sobby broken family melodrama genre and a solid performance by Owen that doesn't have the steam for a nomination, but it's well worthy of praise.
The cast includes Clive Owen, Laura Fraser, Emma Booth, George MacKay and Nicholas McAnulty. For more information on this film including pictures, trailers and a detailed synopsis choose from the following menu.
Review
"The Boys are Back" is a Miramax release, directed by Scott Hicks and is rated PG-13 for some sexual language and thematic elements. The running time is 1 hour 44 minutes.
Owen stars as Joe Warr, a well-known Australian sports columnist who originally hails from Blighty, but since his divorce and subsequent marriage to an Aussie equestrian, he has moved down under and started a new life fresh with a new son (Nicholas McAnulty) to boot. Sadly his wife suddenly passes, leaving Joe and his son on their own. They fall into a certain carefree and unsanitary lifestyle when Joe's son (George MacKay) from his first marriage pays a visit revealing the flaws in Joe's parenting system, which is simply a matter of saying "yes" to most anything.
Romance ensues and certain career entanglements cause their own share of problems, which is to be expected in a film of this sort, and while it is cliche and predictable the story remains sweet and entirely tolerable.
The Boys are Back is definitely a step up from Scott Hicks' last outing with No Reservations, but don't expect it to follow in the footsteps of Shine, which he directed Geoffrey Rush to an Oscar in 1996 and earned himself a Best Director nomination among five others. So to say the film comes from good stock is a definite and is sure to be looked at as the helmer's best narrative film since Shine, but I would never say it's a theatrical must see. A rental should take care of this one, but you won't be kicking yourself should you decide to buy a ticket.
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Well! (She said with her hands on her hips.) B- for a formulaic, emotional little tear jerker?!? But "Bright Star" gets a D?
"Romance ensues and certain career entanglements cause their own share of problems, which is to be expected in a film of this sort, and while it is cliche and predictable the story remains sweet and entirely tolerable." Ciche. Predictable. Tolerable gets a B-?
Tsk, tsk.
@Patricia: I'm confused, are you suggesting I change my opinion? Is my opinion wrong on this one? Was Bright Star better than The Boys are Back?
I also think this is a perfect time to finally decide grading movies is worthless and stop doing it outright.
Pardon me for beating you to death on Bright Star. I'm seeing it tomorrow and will report back to you.
But in response: Yes. No. Judging from the trailers, YES.
And, I agree. Well reasoned opinions please. Ratings are not only useless they rise the ire of some readers (one in particular) who procede to beat you to death over it.
(I hope you know this has all been in fun. A good argument keeps the blood flowing.)
I saw an early viewing of this film. This film handles some heavy & difficult life issues of life with great style, simplicity & grace. Not soppy & or corny like many movies of this genre. Gritty, realistic & deeply moving. One of the best movies I have ever seen. I really prefer action & war movies but this film is just great.
During the film I struggled not to cry (to my wife's surprise) and I NEVER cry! If you have a family or are part of a family, then you will love this movie. This movie elevates the human condition without resorting to syrup and sentiment. Clive Owen shines in this film and really seems to relish the role. A truly versatile actor. Just go and see it. It is not a Hollywood formula movie but a true original.
Cheers – Shane