The Boys Are Back Reviews

It was another movie I had for ages on dvd so it was really time to watch the damned thing. To be honest, it took me a while to get what the whole thing was getting at. Basically, it is about the struggle of a hot-shot sports writer who suddenly has to take care of his young boy on his own and, apparently, the guy didn't have much clue what to do. Honestly, the very first scene was pretty ridiculous, you get to see his very young boy on the hood of his car while he is driving not really slowly on a beach. So, we are supposed to think that this father has become way too reckless to educate his son but that didn’t really match the rest of this movie. Indeed, I thought that the guy was doing his best considering the circumstances and if the boy is healthy and rather happy, seriously, who are we to judge his upbringing? So, it worked actually fine for a very good chunk of the running time with those gorgeous Australian landscape, some nice characters brought to life by some decent performances. Eventually, it lost me when he had to leave for te Australian Open. Indeed, was it really incredibly irresponsible to leave his 15 year old son to take care of his younger brother for a couple of days? I don’t think so. It wasn't the father's fault and it wasn't his son's fault either, the only thing to blame was a mean-spirited script looking for some cheap dramatic event. To conclude, in spite of its flaws, it was still a decent drama though and I think it is worth a look, especially if you like the genre.

Having a father is great. Having a father that's there is even better. I can't really say more about this movie than that... and it's probably less about the movie, I realize, writing this. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

A movie without much expectations which finished astonishing me. The movie touches us, especially if we fit into one side of the story. I already got will of seeing Clive Owen in a drama, had been some time and finally it was the time for another one. The guy could hold the movie practically by oneself, being completed by Artie who brings the funniest part, and by Harry, who brings the most dramatic, which it swings with the dramatic piece of Joe. A cuddly movie that shows the face of a painful loss and obstacles to tour until the arrival of a deserved victory.

"Just say yes."

Director Scott Hicks' first Australian film since 1996's Shine, The Boys Are Back is a mature, poignant meditation on two staggering familial tragedies: divorce and early death. While this film had every right to be maudlin and contrived, screenwriter Allan Cubitt and director Hicks tackle the material with a raw emotional realism; affirming that real stories of loss and emotional rebirth can be told without to succumbing to manipulative melodrama. Fusing humour, heartbreak, power and poignancy with the greatest of ease and with a lack of pretension, The Boys Are Back feels impressively real and sincere, and is all the more resonant because of it.

Towards the beginning of the film, emotionally immature sports writer Joe Warr (Owen) loses his wife Katy (Fraser) to cancer, leaving him to take care of their 8-year-old son Artie (McAnulty). But prior to this tragedy, Joe had never had a particularly close relationship with Artie, and finds it difficult to handle the child. At a loss for how to deal with Artie, Joe opts for a more laid-back parenting method, resulting in a chaotic boys' club of laughs, fun, dangerousness and messiness, and as a result they develop a deeper connection. This is threatened, however, by the sudden arrival of Joe's older son Harry (MacKay); the offspring of Joe's previous marriage. With the pressures of work piling on and the limitations of his support network, Joe's shortcomings are exposed, most of which are difficult to face, let alone accept.

The Boys Are Back is loosely inspired by the real-life memoirs of Simon Carr. Though names have been altered and a structure has been applied, numerous incidents and people from the book were incorporated into the film's screenplay. For its first 20 minutes, The Boys Are Back concentrates on Katy's declining health and eventual passing on. These devastating opening minutes establish the film as a potent tear-jerker; observing Joe as he struggles to cope without his beloved spouse and grows gravely concerned for Artie, whose young brain is unable to process the serious event. Joe's grief eventually results in him conversing with a mental manifestation of Katy's spirit, who visits from time to time to question his abilities as Artie's guardian. While this may be perceived as an obvious and stale plot device that could trigger questions regarding Joe's mental stability, it does work. After all, in times of need, we typically evoke voices offering advice, and this merely takes it one step further. Though there are a few rocky patches of dialogue as the end approaches, and a number of narrative shortcuts, this is a top-shelf movie.

Perhaps the most notable aspect of The Boys Are Back is the way Hicks focuses on the humdrum details of life inside Joe's household. Such an approach amplifies the story's sense of realism, as if the camera merely happened across these events as they unfolded. There's one particular moment of this motion picture that demonstrates the effectiveness of Hicks' style - a raw, unforgiving close-up revealing the look on a man's face as his heart breaks in half. It's a subtle shot brimming with feeling that demonstrates how masterful the director has become, as well as bringing to the fore one crucial thing: nothing in this finely-honed film feels forced, false or conveniently sentimental. A less talented filmmaker would use mournful music to convey the emotion, but Hicks is very matter-of-fact, with the richly nuanced actors to pack the emotional punches. Simply put, nothing here feels Hollywood. Added to this, the stunning South Australian countryside, as captured by cinematographer Greig Fraser, affords the film an achingly convincing sense of place.

Action hero roles fit Clive Owen almost too comfortably, so it's refreshing to see the actor playing a character outside of his comfort zone. Thus, The Boys Are Back provided Owen with the chance to place forth his most compelling dramatic work since Children of Men. Owen submits a standout, heartfelt performance; conveying deep reserves of emotion and inner strength. Playing Joe's beloved Katy, Scottish actress Laura Fraser is superb - her Aussie accent is flawless. Also worth mentioning is the brilliant Julia Blake as Joe's mother-in-law, and Emma Booth who's highly endearing as a new companion for Joe. As for the kids of the ensemble, Nicholas McAnulty and George MacKay are tolerable and convincing - both of which are crucial when dealing with child actors.

The film's subject matter combined with Hicks' low-key direction could have resulted in a boring picture of false emotion, but The Boys Are Back is anything but. It's a very real movie, and it's made enthralling due to the performances and a genuine attachment to the characters. Much of the movies in today's cinematic climate are aimed at young men and boys; most of which are brainless blockbusters that tap into the corner of the mind craving escapist fun. In the case of The Boys Are Back, though, this is a quintessential boys' film without explosions or action sequences. In a sense, it's an ideal companion piece to Charlie & Boots - both are effective Australian movies which are perfect to watch with your dad, brother or granddad. To put it frankly, The Boys Are Back is a chick flick for guys. And it's a great one.

8.3/10

"The Boys are back" a great movie as the relationship of father and sons shown very beautifully. It is described importance of relationship....

Properly awful and dull. Would have been made better if the wife had been played by Dannii Minogue rather than a lookalike. Wanted to leave after 30 minutes.