The Boys Are Back Review
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
, Posted by Should I See It at 2:21 AM
Film: The Boys Are Back
Starring: Clive Owen, Laura Fraser, Emma Booth, George Mackay, Nicholas McAnulty
Directed By: Scott Hicks
Plot: After the sudden death of his wife, sports writer Joe Warr attempts to connect with his seven year old son and his fourteen year old son from a previous marriage.
This is your official warning: the opening of The Boys are Back might elicit and emotional response. Tears may spring to eyes. The first fifteen minutes of the film (also the best fifteen minutes of the film) packs no holds barred emotional punches who's impact lasts for the rest of the film. While the early Oscar Buzz surrounding Clive Owen's performance now seems unlikely as awards season draws closer, he certainly earns it in these fifteen minutes.
Of course, the film is not perfect, far from it in fact. But there is something incredibly honest about the whole thing that draws you in. From Artie's mismatched pyjama’s, playing spotlight on a summer evening to shopping at IGA, there is something real about this film. Maybe it's just the thrill of seeing ‘Australian-isms’ on screen. You never hear “time to get into your ‘jarmies” in any American film.
The South Australian landscape is beautifully captured on film. Director Scott Hicks takes the time to show case it as another character of the film. The beautiful Australia is home to the world’s most dangerous snakes, as Harry reminds us on his arrival. Fortunately no snakes show up in this movie.
Joe's relationship with his sons is at the centre of the movie, and both boys are well cast and hold their own with a cinema vet like Owen. Of course there is a danger of giving young Nicholas McAnulty all the credit; he is simply too cute as seven year old Artie. (Watch the trailer for my favourite scene- where dad Joe tells Artie he has his shoes on the wrong feet and Artie replies “but these are the only feet I’ve got.”) What saves Artie from becoming all too saccharine is the honesty that I have been harping on about. He is not just a cute kid. He is sometimes obnoxious, rude and temperamental, just like any other kid.
George MacKay as Joe's eldest son Harry is probably a little underused in the film. His story doesn't feel quite complete. But MacKay is excellent (I have to admit I enjoyed his performance far more than McAnulty's). The most touching scenes are the ones where you see the two brothers grow closer.
Unfortunately, Julia Blake as Katy's mother (Joe's mother-in-law) is the most annoying. Her not- quite- Australian accent and her theatricality in a film that is otherwise very natural, is irritating.
Apart from Julia Blake, Joe is actually the biggest obstacle the film has. Joe is, to put it nicely, irresponsible, and his "Just Say Yes" approach to parenting leads to more trouble than it solves. It is Clive Owen's charm (for the most part) that keeps Joe likable.
When seeing The Boys Are Back, I was pleasantly surprised to see the cinema full. It obviously capitalising on the recognition of Hollywood A-lister and Academy Award nominee Clive Owen. It's great to see Australian audience's at Australian films. But I have to wonder why it is that four of the lead roles were played by British Actors. Joe and Harry are English. Fine. But Joe's wife Katy, who is an Australian, is played by Scottish actress Laura Fraser. Though I have to admit Ms Fraser does a killer Aussie accent, the role could have just as easily been played by an Australian actress. Why not support local talent in a local industry? I'm not sure if it has to do with the majority of funding coming from British financing companies (At least that is what it looked like by the credits).
Plot wise, the relationship (I will not call it a romance) with local single mum Laura (Emma Booth) is the only part of the film that seems awkward. It starts pleasantly enough but still feels a little like a forced love interest for a man who is definitely not ready for a love interest. It has the potential to be interesting, but feels off for a film about the relationships between father and sons.
A few other minor quibbles: Katy's presence in what we can assume to be Joe's imagination, seems as though the film is trying to hard to get the audience to like her. Joe loves her. That should be enough. The final act's voyage to England seems to drag the film on a little too long. And I also refuse to believe that Harry's mum is as awful as he makes her out to be.
But having said that, there is plenty to enjoy about this film. It's honesty (there I go again!) makes the trip to the cinema worthwhile.
When seeing The Boys Are Back, I was pleasantly surprised to see the cinema full. It obviously capitalising on the recognition of Hollywood A-lister and Academy Award nominee Clive Owen. It's great to see Australian audience's at Australian films. But I have to wonder why it is that four of the lead roles were played by British Actors. Joe and Harry are English. Fine. But Joe's wife Katy, who is an Australian, is played by Scottish actress Laura Fraser. Though I have to admit Ms Fraser does a killer Aussie accent, the role could have just as easily been played by an Australian actress. Why not support local talent in a local industry? I'm not sure if it has to do with the majority of funding coming from British financing companies (At least that is what it looked like by the credits).
Plot wise, the relationship (I will not call it a romance) with local single mum Laura (Emma Booth) is the only part of the film that seems awkward. It starts pleasantly enough but still feels a little like a forced love interest for a man who is definitely not ready for a love interest. It has the potential to be interesting, but feels off for a film about the relationships between father and sons.
A few other minor quibbles: Katy's presence in what we can assume to be Joe's imagination, seems as though the film is trying to hard to get the audience to like her. Joe loves her. That should be enough. The final act's voyage to England seems to drag the film on a little too long. And I also refuse to believe that Harry's mum is as awful as he makes her out to be.
But having said that, there is plenty to enjoy about this film. It's honesty (there I go again!) makes the trip to the cinema worthwhile.
Should I See it?
Yes! it's a lovely, warm Australian film.
The Boys Are Back Official Site here
