"The Boys in the Boat" on Amazon Prime

[nuxvomica]

Last edited Tue Jun 4, 2024, 02:24 PM - Edit history (1)

In 1936, homeless engineering student Joe Rantz (Callum Turner) at the University of Washington tries out for the rowing team so he can get some money and a place to live. He becomes part of an historic junior squad of working-class rowers whose coach (Joel Edgerton) is under tremendous donor pressure for a win, and who ultimately race against the elite teams of Germany and Italy at the Berlin Olympics.

While this movie does not show a lot of character development and does little to explain why the team was so phenomenal, its strengths more than compensate. This true story is a rousing tribute to the American spirit that will have you standing and cheering at times. Director George Clooney manages to painlessly teach the audience enough about rowing's physical and mental demands, and the subtleties of a sport that requires eight men to act as one perfect machine, that you may have the urge to find a local team to join afterward. While the personal drama scenes are little weak, the actual training and competing scenes are flawlessly done. Highly recommended, especially if you've gotten cynical about the state of America, or Americans, today.

[rsdsharp]

1. I saw it a few weeks ago. It's not as good as the book, but it's still enjoyable.

[jimfields33]

2. I agree. I'd not watch it again.

Big it was fine once. I’d explain why, but spoilers are not fair.

[paulrevere2018]

3. I watched it and as been said it was OK. Both the book

And the PBS documentary, The Boys of 36, were better.