The Boy in Blue may not have had the sexiest tag line: Hanlan was one of the first scullers to successfully utilize the "sliding seat." But hey, there are a lot of movies that don't sound great on paper but in execution, they're something special.This film is special. You can feel the intensity in Nic Cage's eyes. He takes you on a journey you will not soon forget.And who can forget such classic lines such as 'This is making me sick wearing these monkey suits', and 'Get up, Harvard man!'It's impossible to see anybody else in this role. 10/10

It isn't Hollywood, thank goodness. Cage is just a baby and still fresh looking incredibly fit. Not quite so today! Some great talent for sure. The story is basically true and Ned Hanlan was an arrogant hot head who proved to the world what a professional champion could do. He was undefeated and took on the world. Reports of the time did say, the more clothes he took off, the bigger he looked. He was a rascal who sometimes toyed with his competition. I love the local color, including the Segwun, the oldest operating commercial screw steamship in North America. Book your tickets today! I loved the scene showing the scull. A beautiful piece of craftsmanship. Some of the race scenes are definitely a bit lame. The pace of the rowing is like a walk in the park and it certainly feels staged. Hanlan's Point in Toronto is famous and infamous! Rowing is a magnificent sport. It combines incredible fitness, cutting edge technology and a fierce will to win.

Unless you like movies about rowing, this movie is a little slow. The only thing this film has in common with Chariots of Fire is the fact that its a period piece. The film is predictable even if you never heard of Ned Hanlan. It's a little "sappy" at times. The acting is a bit over the top and wooden with little chemistry felt between Cage and Dale. SPOILER The training scene for the race on the Thames looked like it was stolen from one of the "Rocky" films but without the speed bag. If you like to be bored to tears or need a non-narcotic to fall asleep this would be a good film for you. ** out of *****

I saw this in a theatre out of pure curiosity back in 1986. The ads gave no indication what this was about--it just showed Nicolas Cage with his shirt off showing his VERY nice chest. It was a dull true story of Ned Hanlan who was a world class sculler--or something like that. It takes place in the 19th century (the ads didn't mention that either) and I usually hate period pieces--that didn't help me like the movie more. The only good thing about this was Cage--he WAS good and his body looked fantastic. But, unless you're interested in sculling, you'll probably be bored silly.There was one unintentionally hilarious scene in which Cage tries to rip open a woman's shirt--and it wouldn't rip! He fumbles with it before he finally gets it off. The audience I saw it with was laughing hysterically.