The Boys Are Back

PG-13

Released Sep 25, 2009

1 hr. 44 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

74%

125 Reviews

Tomatometer

61%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

After the untimely passing of his second wife, Joe (Clive Owen) must deal with his grief as he strives to find a way to raise his sons alone. The boys, Artie and Harry, are trying to cope with their own emotional baggage, so the three decide to throw convention to the wind and live by the words "just say yes." When things go wrong, Joe must find a way to behave more like a parent while maintaining the joys of a more-carefree life.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Jan 03

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent The Boys Are Back on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

Great performances by Clive Owen and The Boys save this melodrama from entering into the sappy territory it might have in less competent hands.

Read Critics Reviews

Ken R

English performer Clive Owen does well in the role of British sportswriter Joe Warr. The story, written by Simon Carr (ex speechwriter for New Zealand's Prime Minister in the 90s) is loosely based on his own life experiences and adapted for the screen by Allen Cubitt. Perhaps the decision to open the picture with a scene featuring Owen, rather recklessly driving along a crowded beach, at speed, with his young son balanced on the Bonnet – could well be seen as a failure by all concerned at this point of the picture. Being set between the picturesque South Australian coastline and England - it outlines the difficulty ‘Joe' has bringing up his two young sons after the death of his young, second wife. Then come the complications of juggling his job and raising young boys in an isolated country town, offering up many demanding challenges including schooling, connecting with neighbours (Emma Booth truly shines in this situation) and the expectations of controlled parenting, etc. Also highlighted, is the irresponsible destructiveness of teenage party gate-crashers and the aftermath on the family. The lavish on-location Cinematography of Aussie Greig Fraser (Lion '16) adds depth and richness, making it easy to look at. Director Scott Hicks tends to keep the story and his characters reasonably on target (even when certain situations seem somewhat far-fetched) Ex Dire Straits guitarist; Hal Lindes supplies the easy-going, gentle score.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/21

Full Review

Audience Member

Absolutely brilliant movie, the acting, the light, and subject. Right from the first scene it had me feeling, starting with anger at the dad......boy did I get a paradigm shift! I went in without any knowledge of the film and thought because of the title it would be a bit of a sports movie! how wrong I was. I am glad I watched it without preconception of what it was about. In summing up it was a movie that made me feel, I totally disagree with the "sappy" comment I hate soppy girly movies this is not one of those although tissues may be needed by some! Well worth a second watch for me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

bill k

Somewhat of a bore. Predictable and uninteresting for the most part.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/25/16

Full Review

Audience Member

not ashames at all to admit that it is my 3rd time watching this movie on Netflix this month. Netflix rating had 2 stars but that's a LIE. you really can't believe everything you see online!!!!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Owen gives a good performance but the script is uneven.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Excellent film on single parenting. Omgiawd, brought back such memories as to how and why I am so darn organized and a drill sergeant when it comes to mufti-tasking! LOL. Although I hired housekeepers, tutors, and negotiated feel good weekends to help manage the daily round!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Scott Hicks

Director

Clive Owen

Joe Warr

Emma Booth

Laura

Laura Fraser

Katy

George MacKay

Harry

Nicholas McAnulty

Artie

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

47%

53%

Everybody's Fine

69%

50%

My One and Only

92%

74%

Another Year

20%

46%

The Art of Getting By

48%

71%

Driving Lessons

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Scott Hicks Talks The Boys Are Back

Critics Consensus: Surrogates Is A Passable Thriller

View more photos

Ed Koch

The Atlantic

While not rising to the status of first rate, Boys Are Back is interesting and worth seeing.

Jan 17, 2018

Full Review

Angie Errigo

Empire Magazine

Owen reveals a rarely glimpsed warmth and the father and son dynamic has charm, but sappiness keeps the film nice, rather than as good as it might have been.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 22, 2010

Full Review

Dave Calhoun

Time Out

Hicks's directing style is straightforward and unfussy - a description you could apply to this big-hearted film as a whole.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 22, 2010

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Does a good job at showing what it is like to lose someone and have that person remain in your life even when they aren't physically present.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 31, 2021

Full Review

Jason Best

Movie Talk

Clive Owen shows sides we've not seen on screen before, while Nicholas McNulty and George MacKay give appealingly unaffected performances as his sons.

Nov 28, 2020

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

THE BOYS ARE BACK and not a moment to soon. Just say yes" to THE BOYS ARE BACK.

Nov 7, 2019

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

After the untimely passing of his second wife, Joe (Clive Owen) must deal with his grief as he strives to find a way to raise his sons alone. The boys, Artie and Harry, are trying to cope with their own emotional baggage, so the three decide to throw convention to the wind and live by the words "just say yes." When things go wrong, Joe must find a way to behave more like a parent while maintaining the joys of a more-carefree life.

Director: Scott Hicks
Executive Producer: Peter Bennett-Jones, Clive Owen, David M. Thompson, Jane Wright
Screenwriter: Allan Cubitt
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Tiger Aspect Pictures, Southern Light
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Sexual Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 25, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $783.0K

Most Popular at Home Now