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The Boys Are Back (2009)

6.7
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Ratings: 6.7/10 from 6,414 users   Metascore: 57/100
Reviews: 31 user | 103 critic | 28 from Metacritic.com

A sports writer becomes a single parent in tragic circumstances.

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(novel), (adaptation)
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Title: The Boys Are Back (2009)

The Boys Are Back (2009) on IMDb 6.7/10

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
Nicholas McAnulty ...
...
Barbara
...
Tom
...
Digby
Natasha Little ...
Flick
Lewis Fitz-Gerald ...
Tim Walker
Nakia Pires ...
Lucy
...
Mia
...
School Housemaster
Georgina Naidu ...
Paula
Daniel Carter ...
Digby & Paula's Child
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Storyline

The Boys Are Back is a confessional tale of fatherhood. It follows a witty, wisecracking, action-oriented sportswriter who, in the wake of his wife's death, finds himself in a sudden, 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." Raising two boys - a curious six year-old and a rebel teen from a previous marriage -- in a household devoid of feminine influence, and with a lack of rules, 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, however tenuous, to grow up. Written by Miramax

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

Inspired by a true story See more »

Genres:

Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sexual language and thematic elements | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

|

Language:

Release Date:

12 November 2009 (Australia)  »

Also Known As:

De vuelta a la vida  »

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$49,342 (USA) (25 September 2009)

Gross:

$783,013 (USA) (30 October 2009)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Clive Owen takes a producing credit for the first time in his career. See more »

Quotes

Artie: Hands up if you like sheep muck. Hands up if you like cow pee. Hands up if you like dog fart. Hands up if you like me.
See more »

Connections

References Home Alone (1990) See more »

Soundtracks

"The Sea is a Siren"
Written by Brendan Gallagher, Stuart Eadie, Amber Weedon (Universal Music Publishing/Copyright Control)
Performed by Karma County
Licensed courtesy of Karma County
See more »

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User Reviews

 
refreshing and amazing, yet...
10 October 2009 | by See all my reviews

Going in, I had utterly no idea of what to expect from this film. My companion didn't even tell me ~what~ movie we were going to see, much less any clues to what it was about. I don't think I've ever walked into a theater with so little idea of what to expect. All I knew was that Clive Owen had a role; but he plays such diverse roles, that gave me no clues.

But, I'm sure even those who knew lot more about this movie going in were surprised. The story provides lots of unexpected and unusual moments. I would anticipate the plot would turn one way, and it would find a whole new direction of it's own. It was refreshing to see a movie that didn't try to fit a mold - that has it's own unique view, rather than fitting into a genre.

The acting was quite amazing; really wonderful believable performances all around. Main characters and minor characters were so believably portrayed that watching the movie occasionally gave me as sense of being the peeping tom.

So those are truly amazing achievements in a movie, especially these days. And yet...

"Boys" has aspects of a great movie, but, sadly, it isn't great. The underlying Peter Pan theme was a bit overplayed. It felt as though the director kept whispering in your ear, saying, "Got it? Got it, yet?"

The storyline held surprises, drama, tension, and some great comic relief... along with more than a few tediously boring scenes that let the audience fall right out of the movie (enough of the raindrops on windows!). It's always a bad sign when I check my watch during a movie, and I checked my watch way too many times in this one.

So, go see it and expect to see something special in it. The specialness is there, even if the movie sometimes dumps you out of the scene and back into your theater seat.


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