THE BOYS ARE BACK
CAROLINE: You know how I love Clive Owen, so I was very excited to hear he had a new drama out, “The Boys are Back.” The beauty of it all was that I got to attend a screening with Clive himself doing Q&A afterward. He was great, but the movie… not so much.
RYAN: Oh no, really? Were you so disappointed?
CAROLINE: I’d hoped it would be great, but it was very slow and almost boring. It’s certainly well made; it’s from director Scott Hicks, who was also there for the Q&A. But I’d read so much about how it’s such a heart wrenching, amazing film and I really didn’t see that. It’s not bad, but it’s not great either.
RYAN: Clive plays a free-spirited dad or something?
CAROLINE: Yes, he’s a dad who loses his wife suddenly and tragically, and I thought I would get really emotional about it, but I didn’t. The movie just didn’t grab me for some reason.
RYAN: I’m sorry, honey. Is Clive good at least?
CAROLINE: Of course! It’s a well made movie and all that, but I just wasn’t feeling it. Basically, Clive’s character is left to raise his son alone, and then his other son from a previous marriage moves in. I was prepared for a touching, poignant and heart warming movie, and even though it had its moments, it wasn’t all that. I didn’t even shed a tear.
RYAN: Oooooh. That’s not good. Let’s be honest, you’ll cry at Oprah.
CAROLINE: I know! It was a bad sign. It just didn’t move me the way I’d expected it to. And given that this movie came out in limited release a month ago and has zero buzz, I’d say others are feeling the same way.
RYAN: How were the kids?
CAROLINE: One’s really cute, and the other is sort of a moody teenager. It has all the elements of a good movie, including a potential love interest, but it didn’t deliver. I’m not sure what was missing, but it kind of dragged. I hate to even say that about a Clive Owen movie, but I must.
RYAN: Maybe it was an issue with the screenplay.
CAROLINE: That’s possible. Though it’s not like Scott Hicks has directed anything that praiseworthy since “Shine” thirteen years ago, LBH.
RYAN: I just thought Clive would pick a better movie.
CAROLINE: I think they all thought they were making a good movie. There are definitely some sweet moments with the kids and it’s shot really well. I just wasn’t emotionally engaged.
— BOTTOM LINE —
CAROLINE: I really wish I could tell everyone to run to see this movie and that there’s gonna be tons of Oscar buzz for it, but sadly I cannot. I think it’s going to get lost in the shuffle of Oscar contenders this fall. It’s not a tragic mistake for Clive Owen, but he needs to pick his roles more judiciously next time.
— RATING —
