Tonight's Movie: The Boys in the Boat (2023)

I often see movies on Super Bowl Sunday, and this year I went to THE BOYS IN THE BOAT (2023).

THE BOYS IN THE BOAT is an inspirational sports movie directed by George Clooney. Coincidentally I've just recently rewatched two good films Clooney directed, GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK (2005) and THE IDES OF MARCH (2011), and I can report that Clooney continues to excel as a director with his latest project.

The BOYS IN THE BOAT screenplay was written by Mark L. Smith based on the book by Daniel James Brown. It's about a scrappy team of underdogs from the University of Washington who beat better-funded college teams to compete in rowing at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

The film focuses foremost on rower Joe Rantz (Callum Turner, MASTERS OF THE AIR), who has been on his own since his family left town when he was 14. Joe is struggling to stay in college to study engineering, and a spot on the rowing team would give him a roof over his head and help pay his tuition.

Although Joe struggles with his feelings regarding the father (Alec Newman) who abandoned him, the mentoring and support of Coach Ulbrickson (Joel Edgerton, OBI-WAN KENOBI) and boat builder George (Peter Guinness) help put Joe on the path to a better life -- along with Joe's own hard work and determination. Lesser men would have crumbled and gone wrong faced with the adversity Joe has encountered.

Happily Joe also has the support of Joyce (Hadley Robinson), a fellow college student who knew him as a child. Their sweet love story takes place alongside Joe's development as a champion rower.

Like most movies these days, the film could have stood shaving off a few of its 124 minutes, but that's my only complaint about this well-crafted film.

It has a strong story ground (mostly) in fact, appealing performances, and lovely cinematography by Martin Ruhe. The musical score was by Alexandre Desplat.

The supporting cast includes Sam Strike, Luke Slattery, Jack Mulhern, James Wolk, and Courtney Henggeler.

I especially appreciated the movie's lack of cynicism and that it's mostly family-friendly. Though rated PG-13, it's just barely at that level, with a suggestive moment and some language. For the most part it's a PG-rated, wholesome film and a great story of hard work, teamwork, and triumph over adversity.  I very much enjoyed it.

A trailer is here.

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