HOLLYWOOD POV: "The Boys Are Back"

Based on the memoir The Boys Are Back In Town by U.K. sportswriter Simon Carr, THE BOYS ARE BACK offers up a typical character-based Australian film but with three fine performances by the male’s leads that makes this film worth seeing. Especially noteworthy is a breathtakingly naturalistic performance by 6-year old Nicholas McAnulty, as Artie, in his first film. His work was so good, in fact, that I could have sat in the theater and watched this kid’s home movies all day long, he was that captivating.

The story can be predictably annoying at times, macho sportswriter left to care for two boys, messy dirty house, maternal Grandma disapproval; cute available next door neighbor with a young daughter Artie can play with…blah, blah, blah. But the performances here are what save THE BOYS ARE BACK from the sugary inevitability of films of this ilk.

Director Scott Hicks keeps the film on track and gives it understated power with an assist by Clive Owens’ excellent nomination-worthy work at showing his manliness along with a natural vulnerability as the boys Dad. The dreamy Southern Australian sunny vistas are breathtakingly beautiful thanks to the work of Aussie cinematographer Greig Fraser.

Clive Owen plays wise-cracking sportswriter Joe Warr, the widowed father of two sons whose career keeps him on the road following the top sports stories of the day. Joe’s idea of being a parent involves bringing presents for his boy when he returns from yet another global jaunt covering sports. After playing inscrutable  international men of mystery tough guys in so many previous films, Owen might have taken this role as a path to a possible nomination…in which case he made an excellent choice when he took on this project.

When his seconds wife dies from cancer Owens' Joe comes to the realization that he now must finally make an effort to be there for his young son as he wasn’t there for his older son Harry (a thoughtful and excellent George MacKay and the spitting image of HARRY POTTER’S Rupert Grint) from his first marriage.

Joe and Artie are unprepared for dealing with their loss and 6-year old Artie’s behavior is an unpredictable mixture of grief, anger, love, and hurt that Joe finds both difficult to deal with and unceasingly painful to experience. But Artie begins to understand what has happened to him and is able to move on when his older half-brother Harry comes for a visit that will never end. Harry comes with his own set of personal baggage; he feels deserted by both his mother and father but really wants to rekindle his relationship with his Dad. Like anyone who meets Nicholas McAnulty, Harry too falls in love with him, and the two boys’ relationship helps Joe begin to understand how to be a father.

Joe’s idea of being a Dad is always saying yes to his boys. He wants to be their friend and feels a terrible sorrow for little Artie’s unexplainable (to Artie) loss of his Mom. A film with this logline can quickly fall into smarmy dramedy danger, but Owen takes charge and keeps his emotions on just the right track. When Joe inexplicably leaves the two boys alone because he must fly to Sydney to cover the finals of the Australian Open to keep his job (to the films’ detriment, this story line is never resolved) their house is taken over by a bunch of wild partying beach kids who just about demolish everything in sight. This culminating event wakes up Joe and he steps up and begins to act like a father.

THE BOYS ARE BACK comes close to sugary confection on occasion, but the script does not allow the expected to occur making this film with truly excellent performances worth seeing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ © 2009 by Digital Dogs~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Digital Dogs rating: B+

MPAA rating: PG-13 for some sexual language and thematic elements.

Running Times: 100 Minutes

Producers Peter Bennett-Jones, Clive Owen, David M. Thompson, Director Scott Hicks, Screenplay, DP Greig Fraser, Editor Scott Gray, Music Hal Lindes, Actors Clive Owen, Laura Fraser, Emma Booth, George MacKay, Nicholas McAnulty

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		Digital Dogs, Gather Movies Correspondent - Los Angeles
	Digital Dogs' column, HOLLYWOOD POV, published every Thursday to Gather Essentials: Movies is an insider's look at the art, people, and product of Hollywood. Digital Dogs is an opinionated writer, editor, and digital designer who lives and works in the Entertainment Capital of the world. DigiDogs' unique reviews are usually written well before a film's release date, and definitely worth the advance look at the films that influence the world. Keep up with Digital Dogs' movie review series by joining her network, or subscribing to her content.