DVD review: Versatile Clive Owen shines in The Boys are Back

It’s a very strange thing when you find yourself identifying with a movie or a character within a movie.  As someone who recently experienced the loss of a loved-one, I found my own personal tragedies mirrored right back at me in an overlooked, independent film which recently crossed my desk; The Boys are Back, starring Clive Owen. 

This British/Australian co-production was inspired by a true story and it’s one I could relate to far more than I could have imagined.

The story revolves around Joe Warr (Owen), a successful sportswriter with a beautiful wife and a loving son.  His world turns upside down when his wife contracts cancer.  Before he knows it, his life partner is gone and he’s left alone to raise his son on his own.  To deal with their grief, he adopts a “no rules” motto, indulging whatever whims or desires he and his son possess.

Joe’s life gets even more complicated when his estranged teenage son from a previous marriage leaves his private school in England to join him at his Australian home.  Together, Joe and his two sons take a tumultuous journey in which they learn to love and cope with loss and betrayed dreams.

To many, The Boys are Back will seem a bit slow and leisurely.  For me, the film perfectly demonstrated the grief and recovery process and after an intense period of guilt, sorrow, questioning, and self-doubt, reality quickly snaps you in the face.  Joe doesn’t get much time to grieve before he realizes he’ll need a lot of help juggling his career while playing homemaker; a role he’s totally unprepared for. 

Clive Owen has a tough guy reputation (he was the public’s first choice for the recent James Bond reboot) but his real strength here is the intensity of his acting.  He’s incredibly authentic and believable as a man completely unprepared for his new parenting role.  While dealing with his own challenges, Warr has to contend with meddling relatives, the guilt of a new romantic interest, and the sins and failures of his own past.

While it isn’t a depressing film, The Boys are Back is not the light-hearted, carefree and uplifting story portrayed on the back of the DVD box.  It’s a funny, touching, and challenging film that takes a very realistic look at those who survive personal tragedies and the incredible life changes they face.  Clive Owen has never been better. 

Director Scott Hicks does a fantastic job of blending strong acting, and compelling drama with a beautiful amber-hued cinematography which beautifully captures the scenic Australian setting.  If you’re in the mood for an honest and cliché-free film full of integrity and honesty, The Boys are Back is certainly worth your time.

4 out of 5
Rated PG-13

The DVD

The Boys are Back is nicely presented in an anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ration and the film looks fabulous.  As I previously mentioned, Scott Hicks and cinematographer Greig Fraser have shot a beautiful film which accentuates but does not overpower the drama in the story.  The disc is light on supplements but does feature a short look at the people who inspired the story and a 16-minute photographic montage of behind-the-scenes photos narrated by director Scott Hicks.

Bonus Features rating
2 out of 5
 

Tony Robinson is a past host of KATU's Movie Guys film review segment and currently reviews movies exclusively for KATU.com. He lives in Portland with his wife, son and action figure collection. He can be reached at tonerobe@hotmail.com.