By John Mulderig / OSV News
NEW YORK – In 2013, Daniel James Brown published a non-fiction novel about a Depression-era crew team that had an unlooked-for rendezvous with destiny. The book went on to become a bestseller and now arrives on screen, under George Clooney’s direction, as “The Boys in the Boat” (Amazon MGM).
This rousing sports drama promotes positive values and showcases a sweetly innocent romance. As a result, many parents may consider it acceptable for older adolescents, a smattering of off-color language notwithstanding.
Mark L. Smith’s script centers on isolated, cash-strapped University of Washington student Joe Rantz (Callum Turner). Mainly attracted by the job that accompanies membership on the squad, he tries out for a seat in the school’s eight-man junior varsity scull.
Joe survives the grueling regime supervised by the school’s taciturn, hard-driving rowing coach, Al Ulbrickson (Joel Edgerton), and his good-humored assistant, Tom Bolles (James Wolk). He also rekindles his relationship with his childhood sweetheart, Joyce Simdars (Hadley Robinson), while developing a friendship with the Huskies’ master boatbuilder, George Pocock (Peter Guinness).
Smith paces the movie’s races with gentle comedy and understated emotional complications. And his screenplay emphasizes, through all the vicissitudes Joe and his confreres endure, that dedication and cooperation can sometimes yield spectacular results.
Within the context of Joe and Joyce’s old-fashioned courtship, their first kiss comes across as a matter of considerable significance. Thus, although they are portrayed in a brief scene lying down together and snuggling, both remain fully clothed and there is no suggestion that they are doing anything more than getting comfortable.
The film contains a few profanities, at least one milder oath and a couple of instances each of crude and crass language. The OSV News classification is A-III – adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 – parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
John Mulderig is media reviewer for OSV News. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @JohnMulderig1.
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