Scott Hicks’ adaptation of the memoir of a man left to raising his son after the loss of his wife seems like a depressing subject matter, but the results are an uplifting and unique look at parenting, whether you agree or disagree with the way he goes about things, and its delivered in a top notch performance by Clive Owen as the father in question.
Joe Warr is a British sports reporter living in Australia with his wife and young son. We are introduced to the family after Joe’s wife passes away and then flashback to the events leading up to her passing. We quickly see the bond among the family is strong and true and the couple is as happy as a couple could be. While attending a party, Joe’s wife is come over with pain and they discover she has cancer. After she passes, their son Artie does handle it well but by no means melts down, the problem is more on Joe’s side of things as he looks for some way to raise his son and to further there connection as father son as it isn’t as strong as it could probably be as Joe has traveled a lot as a sports reporter through the boy’s life.  Added to all of this, Joe has a past life back in England where his ex-wife and son, Harry, from a previous marriage live and his connection with his other son is not terribly strong either. This leads to Harry coming to Australia to live with Artie and Joe and they begin to form a bond that they have both been looking for.
The film is heartfelt and quite funny at times with Artie supplying a number of laughs along the way. Joe takes on a very odd parenting style that will have you shaking your head and wondering if it might really work, which apparently it did since this is based off a true story. The film just floats through the lives of these three as they carry on in the world and run into obstacles along the way. Be it Artie’s grieving grandmother, tension from Joe’s ex back in England, or pressure from fellow parents on Joe’s ways, there is always a force acting upon the way Joe carries himself. The film is ultimately a character study of this family’s endeavors as they over come their obstacles and work towards a common goal of just being happy.
The film is also produced exceptionally with some great acting and directing that really makes these relationships feel real and true. The opening scenes of the film with Joe and his wife are heart wrenching, even with the short screen time we are given and we instantly feel the warmth of this family’s relationship that connects your to them over the course of the whole picture. The film also strikes that excellent balance of comedy and drama and does an excellent job of presenting the mind of a child, however dizzying it might be.
The acting in the film is what carries this picture to being as good as it is and it all begins with Clive Owen’s wonderful turn as this free spirited father. Owen is given countless obstacles and detractors along the way to work off of and does an amazing job being both serious but calm through the worst of times. You can feel his frustration even though he never yells, the pain of his loss runs under his skin and he is never once not believable in his sincerity; it really is a wonderful turn and change of pace from the other great roles we have seen him in over the years. Owen also works extremely well with the younger actors in the film and their bond feels authentic and true. The other real standout in the film is Nicholas McAnulty who plays Artie and is a wonderful little find by the creators of the film. Coming across as real as a child can in a film, he is crazy, quiet, and adorable all at once and you never know what he is going to do next. McAnulty really makes you forget you are watching a child actor as he embodies the character the whole time and never once comes across as a weak link, in fact he soars above expectations most of the time with his natural characterization of Artie. George MacKay also pulls off the abandoned son bit quite well and quietly gains confidence over time in Australia. MacKay gets to really show his range in the latter part of the film as well, but you will have to discover that on your own.
In the end, The Boys Are Back is a wonderful look at fatherhood and family and what makes those things great. Never sappy or sympathetic, the film feels honest and real to life through and through. Anchored by great work from it’s three main actors their bond quickly rubs off on you and you can’t help but be sucked into their world and feel for them along their path. Clive Owen shows his range and proves again why he is one of the best working actors in this story that while sad will have smiling by the end and laughing along the way.
The Boys are Back is a B+