The Boys Are Back is based on the memoir by Simon Carr, who found himself raising two young sons singlehandedly, and occasionally making a complete hash of it.
Sportswriter Joe Warr (Owen) would appear to be living the ideal life: he and his second wife Katy (Fraser) are the p...( read more)
Clive Owen, Emma Booth, Erik Thomson
A sports writer becomes a single parent in tragic circumstances.
DVD Release Date: January 26, 2010
Stats: 126 reviews
Flixster Reviews (126)
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November 23, 2009
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December 3, 2009
A very australian movie. It is slow, but the beautiful scenery, acting and cast were mesmerising and gorgeous. Although parts were very unbelevable, the main relationships were well developed and realistic, and all the motion was not over the top, but true to life. Loved it much....( read more)
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November 24, 2009
I so wish there was more of a push for people to see this film!
Clive is wonderful.
Nicholas McAnulty and George MacKay are stunning on screen.
Wonderful 2nd coming of age film. A must see for male actors looking to tackle lead roles with drama. -
November 2, 2009
I didn't know anything about this movie when i went to see it other than that Clive Owen was in it. I thought that was a good sign. I was surprised to see it set in Australia. The movie is rather slow moving, and nothing ever really happens. I felt as thought sometimes they we...( read more)
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September 11, 2009
It looks good from the trailer, and Clive Owen is always dependable. Worth a rental I'm sure.
Critic Reviews
Has there been a better film about single fatherhood than The Boys Are Back? None that I recall. full review
Relationships -- between men and women, fathers and sons -- are more complicated in real life, and The Boys Are Back deftly acknowledges that fact. full review
You may well cry -- I did -- at The Boys Are Back, but Hicks doesn't use hammers or harp strings; the emotion is honest and earned. full review
All told, the movie's a solid entry in the Bad Dad Gets It Together genre and Owen is really quite touching, especially when he's not trying too hard, which is most of the time. full review
The film seems to regard Joe with affection, and Owen certainly portrays him as a nice man. But why are his unformed theories about bringing up Artie supposed to fill us with affection and sentiment? full review
On the tougher side are Allan Cubitt's script, which is good-natured but doesn't idealize any character, and the prickly honesty of Owen's performance. full review
The problem is that the movie always takes the easy way, scattering a few heavy, confrontational scenes among acres of picturesque montages. full review
This lovely and emotionally resonant film about a family shattered by grief deserves better than a forgettably glib title that conjures up images of beer brawls or gangster affiliations. full review
OK, it sounds like a tear-jerker, and sometimes it drifts dangerously close. But Owen, in a heartfelt, award-caliber performance, never goes soft. It's his core of toughness that makes the movie so fu... full review
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