Fatherhood that is realistically examined through difficult consequences and characteristics is tough to find in cinema. "The Boys Are back" has a terrible title, but a wonderful story. Clive Owen gives a great performance as single parent Joe Warr, a sportswriter who has to raise his two sons after his wife dies, which takes some getting use to due to his wife raising the kids mostly, and Joe working constantly. His youngest son Artie has attitude issues and is very energetic and hyper. His son Harry from a previous marriage resents Joe and has always had a rocky relationship with him. The three men all interact in good and bad times with one another and end up providing the audience with a realistic display of family issues. Scott Hicks directs this film very settling and desirable way in which the film transforms right into it's core plot from the beginning sequences. A personal and detailed script by Allan Cubitt, this story transfers human struggles into family struggles with all three men's issues combining into one to show the dynamics of family virtues. Clive Owen portrays a troubled father excellently without getting too sappy or getting carried away in various scenes that many actors would over do. "the Boys Are Back" is a wonderful tale of parenthood and family related topics that is a sure audience pleasure.

Joe Warr (Clive Owen) is a sportswriter who suffers his wife's death. All of a sudden, he's left with two boys to raise. Instead of dealing with his grief and anger, he takes off with the boys on a reckless trip with the philosophy of "just say yes".This is a hard film to watch mainly because Joe is unable or unwilling to deal with his wife's death. The sons don't improve the situation. The younger son is too bratty, and the older son is too pathetically weak. It is truly frustrating to watch this dysfunctional family. It does improve as they conflict with each other, and they start dealing with their issues. But unless you like emotional punishment, this film isn't for you.

I loved this movie. Of course, Clive Owen is easy to watch, but I'm not that shallow. This little film has loads of heart. The main setting is breathtakingly beautiful, and each character played his or her role with deep meaning and finesse. This is one of those movies that will creep on you and stay with you. You'll remember the father/son bonds of love, and the warmth of a man's love for his wife. I particularly loved the prodigal son theme, and the healing of broken family ties. Overall, just a lovely, lovely film, and one that is well worth watching. I've never been to Australia, but this film really made me yearn for the Outback, and for opportunities to explore such a beautiful country.

This is one of the poorest movies I've seen - I'd no idea what it was about, but generally liked Clive Owen, so thought I'd rent it. It's the only film I can remember in which I actually yelled two or three times at the TV screen "End. END!" Owen plays the most Uriah Heepish parent I've ever seen. Extraordinarily passive - yet deceitful in many ways (Not least, as a top newspaper's sports editor who lies to all at work, and to the nation about covering the biggest international sporting event held in Australia each year - one can only hope he was fired, though there's an odd failure to mention the consequence).I've never seen a parent apologize each time his child deserves punishment. Child throwing things? Apologize. Child hits him repeatedly in the head? Apologize. Child refuses to get in the car to go somewhere? Apologize. Child won't get up from having a tantrum on the floor in public? Apologize. Child wants to throw things in the house? Apologize. Child cries because he wants to swim instead of be in school? Apologize.Say that you're deeply deeply sorry for every breath you take, every move you make - you get the idea.This is a creepy movie - the parent abandoned his vows to God, his son and his spouse to be true until death - and is somehow not made to feel the terrible consequences of his abject despicable treatment of his spouse. Why did he leave her? "I got (this sexy babe) pregnant". I constantly wished the worst for the protagonist - which I don't think the film intends. I loathe this movie.