Review of The Boys Are Back (2009) by Jim L — 22 Jan 2010

Clive Owen, Laura Fraser, Emma Booth, George MacKay, Nicholas McAnulty, Julia Blake, Chris Haywood, Natasha Little, Erik Thompson.

DIRECTED BY: Scott Hicks.

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 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 says yes." Raising two boys - a curious six year-old and a rebel teen 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.

This is a way I have never before seen Clive Owen in a movie and I really enjoyed it. It was so nice to see him play not just a father, but a softie. I thought this movie was beautifully done. The story is heart breaking and very realistic. Definitely a story others can relate to. Characters are relateable as well. It was refreshing to see a movie that didn't try to fit into a specific genre. It was an emotional ride watching this father trying to be a father and not really knowing how to. The movie just felt very honest. Clive Owen's best performance in my eye's. The two boys were brilliant. Not many have seen or heard of this film. So hopefully more will see it, cause it is definitely one worth seeing. See this movie people..