The Boys Are Back

George Mackay, Nicholas McAnulty, and Clive Owens

George Mackay, Nicholas McAnulty, and Clive Owens

People who know me know that I’m a real snippy critic when it comes to movies.  Much of what the film industry puts out earns Three Snorts from me.  So when I tell you I thought a movie was terrific, trust me–it was terrific.

Last night I went to a screening of The Boys Are Back.  I didn’t expect anything special.  Didn’t really know much about the film except that it starred Clive Owen and had boys in it.  To what end, I wasn’t sure–and really, that wasn’t the point in my going.  It was a screening, for heaven’s sake.  Shades of Hollywood, for heaven’s sake.  Not to mention a chance to make myself feel like LA’s not that far away.  So  I met up with Margaret of NannyGoatsInPanties and Alena  of LenaLoo’s Inner Green Fairy and Larissa of no blog at all, bought myself the popcorn I must have to watch a movie and settled back to see what was what.

What I saw was one of the best films in ages.  I hate movie reviews that recount the plot so I won’t.  Suffice to say, it’s a love story between a father and his sons.  It’s about trying your best and sometimes coming up short, but sometimes not.  It’s about trying and sometimes failing, but sometimes not.  It’s about family in all its messy glory when each member is valued as an individual.  It’s about males without women but not in a way that demeans either gender.

It’s about filmmakers not going the quick and dirty route with heavy-handed symbolism and Lessons Learned.  No manipulation by music, no cheap Hollywood tricks to create an emotional response.   Scott Hicks, the director of Shine and producer of Billy Elliot, directed it, from a screenplay by Allan Cubitt, which was based on the memoir, The Boys Are Back In Town, by Simon Carr.  They have created a spot of real life  in a movie theatre.  Truly, if I hadn’t recognized Clive Owen, I would have thought I was watching a documentary.  I loved the world they created on the screen and, frankly, I didn’t want it to end.

I can’t remember the last time I was so touched by a film.  Yet, such is the world of movies these days that I don’t think I would have seen it if not for the screening.  Too many bum deals out there for $10.50 a pop.  Too many films where the best thing going was the popcorn.  So I have to thank Melissa from Women and Hollywood for getting me on the hallowed screening list.  And I have to thank the filmmakers, all those involved, for creating a film that made me remember that moving pictures are indeed an art form and that the best of them reflect who we are and refract our values.

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  • http://www.thefiftyfactor.com Joanna Jenkins

    You had me at Clive Owen. Glad you liked the movie. It’s on my “go see” list.

  • http://www.lenaloo.com LenaLoo

    Great review Jane! I really appreciate it when one does not give away the plot too :) I had a great time talking with you and Margret and Larissa before the film, and I totally don’t blame you for saying the late friend could sit in another row, I would have said the same and I was planning on sitting in another spot if she did make it since a movie is not the place for a casual chat anyway and so I wouldn’t be “that person” looking for her party after the previews already started :) Luckily she told me to do what I wanted to do anyway and went in without her, before the previews started :) Oh and I promise I only ramble like this (or like I did Thursday night) when I am nervous… I really do like to listen more than talk :) Hope we can do coffee again sometime… I really like your concept here at MidLife Bloggers :)

  • http://boomersurvive-thriveguide.typepad.com Rita

    I saw “The Boys Are Back.” My initial reaction was that I liked it.

    However, after thinking about it, I decided that the movie had sexist undertones. The main character, a sports writer, asks if they should root for breasts or legs in a tennis match with female athletes.

    The main character also is reckless in his child-rearing approaches, putting his sons in danger. He puts down the way women raise children.

    Rita blogging at The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

  • http://blog.darrylepollack.com/ Darryle

    I am often disappointed by movies, which I think comes from either knowing the plot or reading rave reviews. Maybe that’s one reason the Boys are Back blew you away—since you knew nothing about it. Although in this case, the movie also happens to be good—I saw it tonight thanks to your rave review, and loved it also.

  • http://midlifebloggers.com byjane

    Joanna: I’ll be interested in what you think of the film when you see it.

    LenaLoo: So, is Cohen here yet??? Didn’t the movie make you glad you’re having a son!

    Rita: I think any film that is true to life will have sexist undertones, because that’s the world we live in. Your response to the main character’s child-rearing is just what his mother-in-law thought: that he couldn’t do it because he wouldn’t do it the way a woman would. But what he ended up doing was creating a family, something that didn’t exist when there were nuclear families involved. What I so liked about the film is what I said in the review: it’s about males without females but not in a way that demeans either gender.

    Darryle: I’m glad you liked it. It’s an honest film.

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