Sometimes you think a movie is going to be one thing, and then you watch it, and it turns out you were completely right: it totally is that thing. “The Boys in the Boat” is like that. If you’ve seen a preview, you’ve probably picked up on exactly what it is. But hey: that doesn’t mean it’s not effective.
“The Boys in the Boat”—based on a book by the same name and directed by George Clooney—tells the true story of the 1936 gold medalist crew team from the University of Washington. It’s hard to deny the story’s appeal: a bunch of guys mostly of working-class origin triumph over teams at more “elite” institutions (Cal, Yale, Harvard, etc.) for the right to represent the United States at the Olympics in Berlin, where Adolf Hitler has recently come into power.
The story centers on one team member, Joe Rantz (Callum Turner), the don’t-say-much type of hero you often find in older films. Early on, we see him struggling to find employment and standing in a soup kitchen line. We later find out he was abandoned by his father as a teen (his mother having died when he was 10) and has had to fend for himself since. Somehow, though, he’s gotten his hands on enough food to turn himself into the type of burly athletic figure who can pull an oar really well. (According to my father, the book goes into much more detail on Joe’s difficult past than the movie does.)
This film leans into its nostalgia: outfits, haircuts, relative prudishness, an old man who makes boats by hand. There’s even an unironic boy-throws-rocks-at-girl’s-window scene. Toss in some other ingredients—nationalism, grit, sport—and you’ve got a classic piece of Don McLean americana. Not everyone will be able to relate, of course, but that’s okay; there’s still a place for this type of story. And I think at least watching Hitler throw a little tantrum because his team didn’t win has pretty much universal appeal.
Most sports movies’ emotional payoff happens when the team or individual triumphs despite tall odds or inexperience or aliens from Moron Mountain stealing the talent from NBA players. This movie has that. But it also gets emotional resonance from the team representing, for Joe, the family he hasn’t had since he was very young. A bunch of guys supporting each other and a young man slowly learning to trust again after abandonment are things you can easily root for.
Performances from Joel Edgerton, playing their coach Al Ulbrickson (another strong silent type), and Peter Guiness, playing aforementioned old man who hand-makes boats, were, not surprisingly, very good. Those are good actors. My favorite performance, however, was from relatively unknown Luke Slattery, who played the vibrant, loudmouthed coxswain. His edge and energy provided a much needed foil to the rest of the cast of barely discernible workhorse types.
This movie works. Clooney’s work on the backdrop does a great job transporting you to the place and time. It’d probably make me cry on a flight. Is it super original or thought-provoking? Not really. But it’s easily a story worth telling, and it’s going to sate some appetites for an uncomplicated throwback sports film where the good guys win.
