Breaking from his usual tough-man persona, Clive Owen stars as Joe Warr, a sportswriter coping with the tragic death of his wife in The Boys Are Back. Struggling with his new role as a single father, Warr adopts an “anything goes” parenting philosophy as he tries to create a world devoid of harsh realities for his two sons.
Nicholas McAnulty, as Warr’s youngest, is an imp of a boy, alternately charming and perplexing. His reaction demonstrates that although a full understanding of death may not possible for a young child, heartache and mourning still are. George MacKay gives a subtle yet winning performance as Harry, Warr’s child from his first marriage. Harry is just as much a sufferer as his younger half-brother, tormented by the normal teenage angst while trying to win love from his father. Although Owen once claimed “I don’t ‘do’ emotion,” it is nice to see him disregard this prejudice. He gives the best performance of his career, revealing a rare nurturing demeanor, and just one of his tears or a slight grimace conveys a full spectrum of turbulent emotions.
The acting may be brilliant, but The Boys Are Back suffers from a lack of direction. In the end, it’s really a movie about nothing, or at least nothing but grief, love and healing. This simplicity is one of the film’s strengths, but it’s also its biggest downfall. The story is touching and beautiful, but the film often feels like it is dragging on, and the audience is left to ponder many unanswered questions as the credits begin to roll. With all of the promise at the film’s start, one can’t help but leave the theater a little disappointed.
2.5 Stars
Directed By: Scott Hicks
Starring: Clive Owen, Nicholas McAnulty, George MacKay
Rated: PG-13, 104 min
