THE BOYS ARE BACK
This
Australian drama is the best work of director Scott Hicks since his Oscar nominated
effort for 'Shine' way back in 1996.
The usually brooding
actor, Clive Owen, stars as Joe Warr, a sports journalist and widowed father of
two sons. In a spontaneous circumstance, Joe has separated from his first wife,
leaving her and his 14 year old son in England in order to run off to Australia
with the woman he actually fell 'in love' with. After cancer ends her life, Joe
must raise their six year old son, Artie, while also attempting to forge a relationship
with Harry, the resentful teenager he left behind.
Transforming
the power of a family crisis into love is the basis of the story. This is evident
after Harry arrives in the country to spend some quality time with his father
upon recommendation of his resentful mother. Grief stricken Joe shows many chauvinistic
characteristics - this doesn't help the already messy situation while trying to
bring his two sons up in a house without any female influence.
The
reckless household hits a peak of potential emergency after Joe stupidly leaves
the boys home alone so he can travel to Melbourne to cover the Australian Tennis
Open. The mood is tangible after this event. After some desperate phone calls,
Joe returns home in a flurry.
Based on a true story, the film
is touching and vital in many areas of redemption - almost a wry confessional
of sorts. Filmed in the picturesque countryside of South Australia, the backdrop
is full of multi layered shades of the leafy rolling hills. The majority of the
female roles are small, but strong. Veteran, Julia Blake is earnest as the caring
grandmother, while the former catwalk model, Emma Booth, shows off some impressive
acting skills as one of the fellow local parents, Laura.
Up
and coming starlet, Emma Lung ('The Jammed') is magnificent in an all too brief
role as Mia, a friendly bartender who helps Joe when he needs it most. The opening
shot of the film is of Joe racing down the beach in a convertible and Artie hanging
on for dear life to the windscreen wipers. This sets the scene for his amateur
outlook and parenting skills.
It goes without saying that
Clive Owen is perfect as Joe. But the core of the film is his two boys. The naturalistic
performances from the young pair, especially Nicholas McAnulty as Artie, a role
in which director Hicks took nearly a year to cast, are an asset to the impact
of the melodrama.
Unflinchingly telling it how things really
are, bring your tissues as there are not too many comforting solutions when difficult
decisions must be made. 'The Boys are Back' is a memorable and stirring story
told with passion from all involved.
WATCH
THE TRAILER
Shane A. Bassett
