Olympic Dreams, Clooney's Vision - ‘The Boys in the Boat’ Film Review
by William Lindus
It's important to preface this by noting that I've never read "The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown, the novel on which the film of the same name is based. I can't comment on how well it captures the book's themes, the historical accuracy of its portrayal of the 1936 US Olympic rowing team, or if one medium tells the story better than the other. If you have insights from having read the book, you have an advantage over me. However, what I can discuss is how the George Clooney-directed film adaptation functions as a standalone movie, and in that regard, I have some reservations.
The film adopts the format of an inspirational, underdog sports drama. It traces the journey of an unlikely group of student athletes from the University of Washington as they aim to qualify for the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, hoping to defeat the German team and symbolically triumph over Adolf Hitler and the burgeoning Nazi regime. Clooney's direction is familiar and straightforward, avoiding novel techniques but successfully capturing the sense of pride and triumph inherent in such films. This approach is both a strength and a weakness; each triumph and setback feels comfortably predictable.
But does the film transcend these conventions? Unfortunately, no. If you're seeking something challenging, memorable, or emotionally engaging beyond its 124-minute duration, I recommend looking elsewhere.
The casting is competent; Joel Edgerton portrays Coach Al Ulbrickson, a promising coach managing a team seemingly doomed to fail, who overcomes his doubts to unlock his team's hidden potential. The narrative primarily follows Joe Rantz, depicted by Callum Turner, a blue-collar student with limited resources who discovers purpose in his role on the team. Both performances are solid, forming the emotional backbone of the story.
However, I have a critique that, while minor, stuck with me. There's a line near the film's end, taken from the book and presumably from the rowers' journals, which seems accurate:
"We were never eight. We were one."
The issue arises because the film focuses so heavily on Coach Ulbrickson and Joe Rantz that the other seven rowers are underdeveloped. They're named, and a few receive brief moments or reveal minor character quirks, but how can this quote be foundational when these rowers are mere afterthoughts in their own story? There's a ninth character, coxswain Bobby Moch (Luke Slattery), whose strategic acumen is crucial during races. His story is more engaging than that of the other rowers. This might seem like nitpicking, and the film can certainly be enjoyed on its own terms, but for me, this imbalance detracts from its central message.
The film's high point is its rowing sequences. Despite the potential for monotony - the rowing motion appears unchanged to the untrained eye - each race is filled with drama and suspense, and it's easy to get caught up in the excitement. The Boys in the Boat is a safe film that I wish offered more, but I believe audiences will appreciate it for what it is. Its Christmas Day release is apt; it's the perfect movie to watch with your father during the holidays.
3 out of 5 Bear Paws