Jason KingThe Boys Are Back ($13-)
November 18th 2009 08:52
:
CLIVE OWEN IS AMAZING IN THIS ONE
Category: No Category
The Boys Are Back ($13-)
Inspired by a true story, THE BOYS ARE BACK is a deeply moving, wryly confessional tale of fatherhood, that intimately evokes both the fragility and wonders of family life. It follows a witty, wisecracking, action-oriented sportswriter Joe Warr (CLIVE OWEN) who, in the wake of his wife's tragic death, finds himself in a sudden, stultifying state of single parenthood. With turbulent emotions swirling just below the surface, Joe Warr throws himself into the only child-rearing philosophy he thinks has a shot at bringing joy back into their lives: "just say yes."
Raising two boys - a curious six year-old (NICHOLAS MCANULTY) and a rebel teen (GEORGE MACKAY) from a previous marriage, in a household devoid of feminine influence, and with an unabashed lack of rules, life becomes exuberant, instinctual, reckless . . . and on the constant verge of disaster.
United by unspoken love, conflicted by fierce feelings and in search of a road forward, the three multi-generational boys of the Warr household, father and sons alike, must each find their own way, however tenuous, to grow up.
Their story is not just about the transforming power of a family crisis but the unavoidable grace of everyday life and love that gets them through.
Academy Award nominee Scott Hicks (Shine) directs from a screenplay by Allan Cubitt based on the acclaimed 2001 memoir by Simon Carr, The Boys Are Back, an unflinchingly funny and honest recounting of his journey from grieving husband to full-contact fatherhood in the aftermath of profound loss. Shot on location in the stunning countryside of South Australia, the film is produced by Greg Brenman (Billy Elliot) and Tim White (Ned Kelly).
I really had no idea of what to expect from this film, but I knew I really wanted to watch it and had heard some good murmering comments from the patrons leaving the cinemas over the last week so after "mostly" recovering from my suspected swine flu and free to leave self imposed quarantine I headed in to watch this little Aussie gem.
I found it a superb look at battling blokes in Oz. Even though Clive Owen is English he suits the Australian lifestlye tremendously. His acting is always enjoyable and more so in this one as this is a non commercial action film, he just has such a presence and while normally a male lead who can make the ladies shake at the knees I think he will do more so in this film as he presents a father I would have been proud to have grown up with.
This is just nice drama played well by all. I was so suprised at how good the acting from the kids was. George Mackay is only seventeen but has been acting for years. His most notable international film was Peter Pan from 2003 as Curly, one of the lost boys. I think in the UK his acting will be on the rise because he also has a Rupert Gint look about him and we all know how popular those Potter kids are
. Mackay has a real deep emotional diversity and his scenes in this film where he deals with abandonment issues and guilt associated with his insufficiency to be a man as yet are heartbreaking, but then in the next scene he pulls off the spoilt teenager so well I would have gladly provided a backhand
Then there is young Nicholas McAnulty - I want one!!! He is the cutest little kid and his character in this film was no easy part to play, he is pivotal to the success of this story and he holds his own playing Owen's son. There were a couple of scenes I saw him struggle in - the highly emotional outburst scenes but god he is good.
This film is the first time Hicks has returned to film in South Australia since his hugely succesful SHINE from 1996 and it was a great choice of area to shoot. The scenery and landscape also play a strong character in this film and this character is more Ozzie than Croc Dundee. I felt like I was staying at my parents place on the Sth Coast, there were the Kangaroos in the morning, a million different bird noises and the cinematogrpahy captured it all so well I could nearly smell the eucalyptus.
There was one thing that bugged me in this film, you do not call your son "sweetheart" - it was just bizarre but every time Joe called Artie sweetheart I cringed. I can see myself calling my daughter "sweetheart" but a son? NO, especially one as crazy as Artie - I would call munchkin or something cute - it just felt weird and creepy to me, this could be more my problem alone but thought I would mention it.
I also think this is one of Scott Hicks's best films, it is simple, no bullshit and tells a great honest tale, that puts smiles on your dials and makes you shed a few tears. This is one that groups of seniors should flock to by the busload and a great chickflick that guys would really enjoy and empathise with. By all means this is made more as a family film and is suitable for absolutely everyone. It is out now and well worth $13-.
Special thanks to Miramax for most of the synopsis.
Inspired by a true story, THE BOYS ARE BACK is a deeply moving, wryly confessional tale of fatherhood, that intimately evokes both the fragility and wonders of family life. It follows a witty, wisecracking, action-oriented sportswriter Joe Warr (CLIVE OWEN) who, in the wake of his wife's tragic death, finds himself in a sudden, stultifying state of single parenthood. With turbulent emotions swirling just below the surface, Joe Warr throws himself into the only child-rearing philosophy he thinks has a shot at bringing joy back into their lives: "just say yes."
Raising two boys - a curious six year-old (NICHOLAS MCANULTY) and a rebel teen (GEORGE MACKAY) from a previous marriage, in a household devoid of feminine influence, and with an unabashed lack of rules, life becomes exuberant, instinctual, reckless . . . and on the constant verge of disaster.
United by unspoken love, conflicted by fierce feelings and in search of a road forward, the three multi-generational boys of the Warr household, father and sons alike, must each find their own way, however tenuous, to grow up.
Their story is not just about the transforming power of a family crisis but the unavoidable grace of everyday life and love that gets them through.
Academy Award nominee Scott Hicks (Shine) directs from a screenplay by Allan Cubitt based on the acclaimed 2001 memoir by Simon Carr, The Boys Are Back, an unflinchingly funny and honest recounting of his journey from grieving husband to full-contact fatherhood in the aftermath of profound loss. Shot on location in the stunning countryside of South Australia, the film is produced by Greg Brenman (Billy Elliot) and Tim White (Ned Kelly).
I really had no idea of what to expect from this film, but I knew I really wanted to watch it and had heard some good murmering comments from the patrons leaving the cinemas over the last week so after "mostly" recovering from my suspected swine flu and free to leave self imposed quarantine I headed in to watch this little Aussie gem.
I found it a superb look at battling blokes in Oz. Even though Clive Owen is English he suits the Australian lifestlye tremendously. His acting is always enjoyable and more so in this one as this is a non commercial action film, he just has such a presence and while normally a male lead who can make the ladies shake at the knees I think he will do more so in this film as he presents a father I would have been proud to have grown up with.
This is just nice drama played well by all. I was so suprised at how good the acting from the kids was. George Mackay is only seventeen but has been acting for years. His most notable international film was Peter Pan from 2003 as Curly, one of the lost boys. I think in the UK his acting will be on the rise because he also has a Rupert Gint look about him and we all know how popular those Potter kids are
. Mackay has a real deep emotional diversity and his scenes in this film where he deals with abandonment issues and guilt associated with his insufficiency to be a man as yet are heartbreaking, but then in the next scene he pulls off the spoilt teenager so well I would have gladly provided a backhand 
Then there is young Nicholas McAnulty - I want one!!! He is the cutest little kid and his character in this film was no easy part to play, he is pivotal to the success of this story and he holds his own playing Owen's son. There were a couple of scenes I saw him struggle in - the highly emotional outburst scenes but god he is good.
This film is the first time Hicks has returned to film in South Australia since his hugely succesful SHINE from 1996 and it was a great choice of area to shoot. The scenery and landscape also play a strong character in this film and this character is more Ozzie than Croc Dundee. I felt like I was staying at my parents place on the Sth Coast, there were the Kangaroos in the morning, a million different bird noises and the cinematogrpahy captured it all so well I could nearly smell the eucalyptus.
There was one thing that bugged me in this film, you do not call your son "sweetheart" - it was just bizarre but every time Joe called Artie sweetheart I cringed. I can see myself calling my daughter "sweetheart" but a son? NO, especially one as crazy as Artie - I would call munchkin or something cute - it just felt weird and creepy to me, this could be more my problem alone but thought I would mention it.
I also think this is one of Scott Hicks's best films, it is simple, no bullshit and tells a great honest tale, that puts smiles on your dials and makes you shed a few tears. This is one that groups of seniors should flock to by the busload and a great chickflick that guys would really enjoy and empathise with. By all means this is made more as a family film and is suitable for absolutely everyone. It is out now and well worth $13-.
Special thanks to Miramax for most of the synopsis.
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Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
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Comment by Jason King
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Total Randomness
It is definately worth a viewing!
Comment by K @ the Lair
Now this movie sounds just like I'll need a few extras in the pocket. And Clive Owen has a certain presents on the screen. Looking forward to seeing it. K