Shadows on the Wall | The Boys in the Boat

The Boys in the Boat

dir George Clooney
scr Mark L Smith
prd Grant Heslov, George Clooney
with Joel Edgerton, Callum Turner, Peter Guinness, Jack Mulhern, James Wolk, Hadley Robinson, Courtney Henggeler, Sam Strike, Thomas Elms, Luke Slattery, Bruce Herbelin-Earle, Chris Diamantopoulos
release US 25.Dec.23,
UK 12.Jan.24
23/US MGM 2h04

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Based on an inspirational true story from Depression-era Seattle, this sporting drama sticks closely to formula, from slick production design to triumph-over-adversity narrative. Without a distinctive point of view, the direction is surprisingly straightforward for George Clooney, missing the opportunity to create an involving visual style. But the real problem is a simplistic screenplay that never gets beneath the surface of what should be a gripping story.

In 1936 Seattle, impoverished-orphan Joe (Turner) is convinced by his friend Roger (Strike) to join the rowing team to help fund his university studies. And Joe discovers a natural talent for the sport. Their coaches (Edgerton and Wolk) are determined to make them world-class winners. But after triumphing over the California champs, they need an extra edge to face established East Coast crews and win a shot at the Berlin Olympics. Then when they get to Germany, the team will face the best in the world, with Nazis in the stands cheering against them.

With the US economy in collapse, most of the rowers can't make ends meet, and there's a nice sense that sporting success helps distract them from their worries. Although the plot leaps ahead so quickly that there are only brief references to these issues. Instead, the film covers race after race, punctuated by obstacles and challenges. Each sequence is sharply staged and shot, vividly catching the intensity of the situation, complete with telling details. But the relentlessly worthy approach means that it's never as thrilling as it should be.

Performances from the sharp-looking ensemble cast are earthy and natural, anchored by Turner. He's compelling as a young man with identity issues and determination to be the best, although the script only touches on the most obvious motivation. And while Edgerton always has terrific presence, not much is made of his character's personal journey. Frustratingly, none of these people come into full focus, because the roles are so underwritten.

While continually cutting away to fill in other elements of the story, it's Joe's perspective that holds the interest, as a guy who raised himself and made it to university against the odds, then triumphs at something he stumbles into. So it's frustrating that the film never seems very interested in his issues, nor does it bother to grapple with how Hitler tried to use the Games for propaganda purposes. Merely name-checking Jesse Owens isn't really enough. And the tale of these tenacious young men deserves a lot more fighting spirit.

themes, language 1.Dec.23

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