The Boys are Back 2009 3*

     The Boys Are Back is a confessional story about fatherhood.  It is about a witty, wisecracking and action-oriented sportswriter.  After his wife's death, he finds himself in a sudden and stultifying state of single parenthood.  Joe Warr throws himself into the only child-rearing philosophy he thinks has a shot at bringing joy back into their lives.  “Just says yes is his parenting style?”  Joe is raising two boys, a curious six year-old and a rebellious teen from a previous marriage. This is in a household devoid of feminine influence.  There is a lack of rules but life becomes exuberant, instinctual, reckless and on the constant verge of disaster.  The three multi-generational boys of the Warr household, father and sons alike must each find their own way whether it is wrong or stressful trying to grow up.

     There's something a little too absent about Joe as the father?  It may or may not be selfishness?  With his son Artie, Joe needs to look and listen more closely.  Just because Joe thinks things are fine doesn't mean they really are?  Clive Owen can be a likable actor but the character he is playing is working against him.  The movie Shine directed by Scott Hicks remains a moving experience but in this film he has all the pieces in place (cast, cinematography, music) but he doesn't quite have the story he thinks he has?  Please, give us a break from the scenes where the ghost of the departed turns up and starts talking as if she's not dead!!!  3* (This movie is OK)

     This is a moving drama about profound loss experienced by both adults and children.  The subject matter could easily overwhelm younger kids and tweens.  A mother’s death is depicted onscreen.  Also is her family's unraveling soon after she's gone.  But, though the journey to healing is messy, a widower makes some questionable parenting choices in the wake of his loss but healing does happen.  It is affecting to watch.  Expect some swearing with only one word used, drinking, kissing and flirting between adults.  3* (This movie is OK)

104 min, Drama directed by Scott Hicks, based on a novel by Simon Carr and  Adapated by Allan Cubitt with Clive Owen, Emma Booth, Laura Fraser, George MacKay, Nicholas McAnulty, Julia Blake, Chris Haywood, Erik Thomson, Natasha Little, Lewis Fitz-Gerald, Nakie Pires, Emma Lung, Daniel Carter.

Note:  Imdb 6.8* out of 10* with 9915 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 73% with 126 critic reviews 61% with 10,000+ audience scores, Metacritic 57 out of 100 with 28 critic reviews 5.6 out of 10 with 23 user scores, Roger Ebert 2 1/2*, Common Sense Media S. Jhoanna Robledo age 13+, 4* out of 5*, 1* violence, 1* consumerism, 2* sex, language, drinking, drugs & smoking, 3* positive messages,

Special Note:  Tiger Aspect Pictures producer Greg Brenman had director Scott Hicks in mind as the director from the onset.  One of the reasons he wanted Scott was once we had the script he thought back to Shine 1996.  The nine songs by Sigur Ros in the film were initially used as a temporary score.  But, director Scott Hicks felt the music was perfect for the film.  He personally traveled to Iceland to get approval from Sigur Rós to feature the music in the.  The house in the film was built on property in Myponga Beach, South Australia and the plan was to take the house down after filming.  The owners of the property persuaded the producers to leave the house and surrounding areas intact.  It has now been converted into the successful Bed and Breakfast "Brooklyn Farm - Joe's House.”