The Boys in the Boat: A Stroke of Mediocrity from George Clooney
The mid-1930s, Washington. Joe Rantz (Callum Turner), a determined student, is desperately seeking employment to fund his education. He’s presented with an opportunity to become a rower on the University of Washington’s underdog team, coached by the stern but inspiring Al Ulbrickson (Joel Edgerton). Rantz accepts, stepping into a world of camaraderie, support, and the pursuit of victory, with the ultimate goal of competing in the Olympic Games.
Joel Edgerton as Coach Ulbrickson in “The Boys in the Boat”
It seems a rite of passage for respected Hollywood actors to eventually step behind the camera. From Charlie Chaplin to Woody Allen, many have found success in both acting and directing. However, in recent years, the allure of directing seems to have overshadowed the craft itself, leading to mixed results, from Bradley Cooper’s ambitious “Maestro” to George Clooney’s ventures. While Clooney had a promising start with “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” in 2002 and garnered Oscar nominations for “Good Night, and Good Luck,” his subsequent directorial efforts have been less convincing. “The Boys in the Boat,” riddled with clichés and lacking a distinct voice, unfortunately reinforces the adage: if you have nothing to say, it’s better to remain silent.
A Missed Opportunity on the Water
“The Boys in the Boat” is an adaptation of Daniel James Brown’s bestselling book. The film serves as a cautionary tale for aspiring screenwriters, showcasing many of the genre pitfalls to avoid. Despite its seemingly harmless two-hour runtime, the film suffers from a lack of creative vision. The screenwriters, including Mark L. Smith (known for “The Revenant”), attempt to recreate the magic of “old Hollywood” but seem to lose steam before the finish line. The story of the rowers’ triumph and unwavering determination leaves little room for nuance, resulting in Clooney spending most of the film on the sidelines, while his cast valiantly carries the weight of the narrative.
Joel Edgerton as Coach Ulbrickson in “The Boys in the Boat”
The film had the potential to be a compelling story of overcoming adversity, but it falls short. The protagonist, Rantz, endures numerous hardships from a young age: his mother’s death when he was 14, his father’s departure to seek work, leaving him to fend for himself. His decision to pursue rowing is initially driven by necessity, but it evolves into a testament to his resilience and determination. Callum Turner’s performance helps transform Rantz from a biographical sketch into a relatable character undergoing emotional and physical growth. Turner, with his natural charisma, deserves recognition alongside his peers in the industry (such as Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor) and leads a cast of equally talented young actors.
Callum Turner as Joe Rantz in “The Boys in the Boat”
Racing to the Finish Line, But Barely
The film showcases three main races: at the university level, the national level, and the Olympics. The Washington team faces constant financial struggles to fund their trip to Berlin, relying on crowdfunding and hope. Against all odds, despite one of the athletes falling ill and the oppressive atmosphere of Nazi-era Berlin, the American team emerges victorious at the Olympics, under the watchful eye of Hitler. In the hands of a more insightful director, the Olympic Games alone could have been a captivating film. However, Clooney seems disinterested, treating the story as mere background noise, much like his own disastrous “The Monuments Men.”
“It’s all about the boat,” Ulbrickson wisely tells a discouraged Rantz at one point. However, it’s hard to ignore the director’s ego as a contributing factor. “The Boys in the Boat” feels like an outdated project, created more to satisfy Clooney’s vanity than to truly illuminate its characters. The director seems unconcerned with the final result, ultimately conveying a sense of boredom that the audience is likely to share.