In 1936, nine young men from the University of Washington carried a country’s hopes with them as they competed in the Summer Olympics in Berlin. George Clooney’s latest film, The Boys in the Boat, based on Daniel James Brown’s 2013 nonfiction novel, recounts the journey of the Washington junior rowing team under risk-taking coach Al Ulbrickson (Edgerton) and the challenges they faced. Following team member Joe Rantz (Turner) as an underdog among underdogs, it’s a welcome addition to any sports-enthusiast dad’s movie rotation. The movie hits all the usual sports film beats, following the team from its inception to its final race against the world, with interesting character-building adding to the film.
It’s also a movie about class, with many of the rowers and their families having fallen on hard times. This is especially true for Joe Rantz, who was left behind by his family at 14 to fend for himself. When he hears about the opportunity to earn money while rowing, Joe tries out and makes it onto the team, finally getting some financial stability and an unexpected group of friends.
The Boys in the Boat compassionately uses the socioeconomic struggles of the boys at its heart to capture the country’s mood as it started slowly coming back from the Great Depression. It’s a potent theme, especially since we see the world through Joe. The movie hints at more on its mind, especially when the team arrives in Berlin and become a proxy for the fight against the Nazis. However, these ideas are fleeting, skirting on the edges of the film, and moments like a cameo by barrier-busting, record-setting Black sprinter Jesse Owens (Jaymes) add an unfocused element that can feel heavy-handed and surface-level.
The performances on hand, however, are worth watching. Aside from Turner as Joe, who does a good job at projecting a strong and silent exterior that masks a deeply scarred inner child, there is another standout who’s worth mentioning. The quiet heart at the center of the team is Don Hume (Mulhern), a shy, unassuming rower who nonetheless is captivating to watch. Don prefers to fall into the background, but his teammates lift him up every chance they get. It’s a subtle role, but Mulhern’s presence and physical choices make it one to remember.
The Boys in the Boat has no shortage of gorgeous imagery either, reminding us of the tactile and tough nature of the sport. You’ll find close-ups of hands gripping onto oars, velvet water parting and swirling, and stunning overhead shots of the boats in action. Arthur Graley’s sound design works nicely here too, letting us hear every paddle and creak, and placing us in the middle of it all.
Overall, Clooney has provided a fine time at the movies, with engaging sports sequences, thoughtful storytelling, impactful visuals, and great performances. Its focus can get a bit fuzzy, but this doesn’t dull the film’s overall shine.
This article appears in December 22 • 2023.