The Boys in the Boat

These were the days of an almighty depression, when the world and its people were enveloped by recession, when food was hard to find, most folks were in a bind, and a group of desperate lads, came together as one plus seven. Coach Al Ulbrickson selects the team that he believes can win, makes a change or two to bolster a new cox as the kingpin, there are trials tribulations, before they challenge other nations, at the 36 Olympics taking place, Deutschland, Berlin. So the tensions elevated and the heats are raced and rowed, the strategy is simple at half way they just explode, but the Germans take a shot, in front of Adolf their despot, you'll have to watch the final sequence to find out winning boatload.

These were the days of an almighty depression, when the world and its people were enveloped by recession, when food was hard to find, most folks were in a bind, and a group of desperate lads, came together as one plus seven. Coach Al Ulbrickson selects the team that he believes can win, makes a change or two to bolster a new cox is the kingpin, there are trials tribulations, before they challenge other nations, at the 36 Olympics taking place, Deutschland, Berlin. So the tensions elevated and the heats are raced and rowed, the strategy is simple at half way they just explode, but the Germans take a shot, in front of Adolf their despot, you'll have to watch the final sequence to find out winning boatload.

Very few people know this story and how incredible this was and honestly the movie didnt even touch on it enough, i know its two hours and what can they do. Its a family movie that adults will also like the acting is perfect. Have to give it to Clooney for doing this he had to know this wasn't going to be a huge money maker but did it anyway. Been waiting for this since i read the fantastic book wondering if someone would pick it up. We need to pay to see these if we want them to be made in the future. Would have like to have the accomplishments of the rowers show in the credits like the book explained, these were all very successful people, doctors, lawyers and such.

I'd heard a lot of praise about the book although I have never read it, and frankly after slogging through this movie I have no interest in reading it. Apparently Joe Rantz led an interesting life, but the movie glosses over almost all of it, presenting him as rather two-dimensional and not a particularly likable guy. The result is a formulaic underdog sports movie focused almost entirely on rowing. I have absolutely zero interest in rowing, and no real interest in the Olympics either so frankly I found this to be excruciatingly boring and it would have been very predictable even if not for the fact that it is based on a true story. I'm sure the real Joe Rantz was an interesting guy and the achievement of him and his team were truly impressive but as a movie there was just nothing there for me. I was so relieved with the credits finally started to roll, I was there with a group or I would have walked out much earlier.

The river scenery is awesome. The boat racing scenes are thrilling. The look inside the techniques and culture of rowing is fascinating. The characters make you cheer for an underdog rookie rowing team as they battle experienced rowers, overbearing athletic boosters, corrupt sports officials, and numerous skeptics. What then is Boys in the Boat missing? Drama. Suspense. Like many underdog sports movies, the ending (and many events along the way) is totally predictable. Not to worry though. The movie is also missing the grim gloom and violence of many modern flicks. If you watch Boys in the Boat, you can just sit back and enjoy the ride!