The Boys Are Back – DVD Review
The Film:
One of the toughest things about losing a loved one, is often the aspect of death we rarely focus on. The death itself is a rough pill to swallow, but it’s the time after the death of the loved one, the grief, the emptiness that occurs that is sometimes the most unbearable period. What to do? Everyone handles this differently, and in The Boys Are Back, based on a true story from author Simon Carr, Clive Owen’s character decides it’s time to be a real father. The film is lavishly director by Scott Hicks, but often adds sentimentality when it already had those genuine moments some film never get. Artificial, sadly, at times, The Boys Are Back plays it safe more than really going for the heart-strings.
Sentimentality is a tricky angle to produce honestly in film. Here, it feels too text book, like “insert some of the beautiful cinematography, layer it with soft songs”, and like a factory, we have mass produced moments of heart tugging. I think the film, whether it’s accurate of the book or not, is on the surface – fine. Clive Owen is always superb, and in dramatic roles, he shines. The Boys Are Back is no different for Owen. Performances aside, we have a story about a father who has an estranged son. After the death of Owen’s wife from terminal stomach cancer, he decides spending time with his youngest boy, in a house without many rules, could be the answer for their grief. Wanting to take this a step further, he seeks out his estranged son from his first marriage to reconnect. The wealth of the drama is in these scenes of Owen’s becoming the father he should have been, realizing it, and adjust with his sons. But adding the unneeded opening and closing voice overs, the sappy musical moments, along with photoshop scenes made to make you cry, The Boys Are Back slips because of that.
As off-of-the-assembly line as The Boys Are Back sometimes feels, Hick’s sure directorial hand, never fully allows it to derail. Relationships are the bonding force for the characters and for the film, and these scenes and ideas drive the film, allowing it to float in its sentimentality, never drowning. I do say the film never truly captures the grief as it feels in real life, but that could just be me. I also don’t know if the film earns its attempt at an uplifting moment for the ending, but again, with the superb direction, acting, and cinematography, Miramax’s last film, is a warm send off to the company that has produced many of these types of films over their long history.
The DVD:
Audio/Video: Miramax’s DVD features a warm transfer, filled with natural colors and textures. No source damage here; every loving detail is accurately replicated. The Dolby Digital audio is equally as warm and inviting as the transfer. Some light surround ambient noises, light bass, but dialogue clear, making a great reproduction of the film’s theatrical presentation.
The Boys Are Back: A Photographic Journey: Running 16 minutes, this feature showcases the set photos that were taken during the production. Also, including is an Optional Commentary with the director, something I would highly recommend picking to listen. It serves as a nice recollection of the film’s making, with some nice insights. You can also choose to listen to an Optional Score that features the nice score by composer Hal Lindes over the photos.
A Father and Two Sons, on Set: Barely running 2 minutes, this all too brief look at the author and his sons, that inspired the story as they talk about the film. Wish this was a little longer.
While some trailers play before the film starts, The Boys Are Back‘s original theatrical Trailer is not included, oddly.
Conclusion: Soft-spoken, sweet, and sometimes fake, The Boys Are Back is really worth a rental, but it fails to truer go in directions I felt the story needed to go.
The Film: Rating: 
The DVD: Rating:
