The Boys in the Boat

Excellent visuals and storytelling. Subtle and powerful. Entirely enjoyable.

I just finished the book so was excited to watch the movie. I was skeptical with the opening scenes with the background music composition. It sounded like a Hallmark movie. My daughter even asked if that’s what I was watching. The music was low quality as well as the script. They left out the best parts of the true story and focused on the romance of Joe Rantz and Joyce that was all made up. They also added in the coach’s wife who contributed nothing to the movie except another bad actress. They didn’t even show the boys accepting the gold medal. The grandpa and grandson scene was cheesy, unnecessary, and put this movie in the same class as a made for tv movie. No character development and no depth. This could have been a great movie. Clooney really messed up what could have been shown the true history behind what these boys went through. Whoever did the music also should never be allowed to conduct again. It was horrible.

very average at best.

How did everyone get paid to leave a good review for this movie? If someone lets me know I’ll split it with them

Close to Hallmark-levels of cheesiness throughout most of the movie and yet somehow the fake romance story had no feeling at all. And for a movie that was supposed to be about “the boys in the boat,” we learn almost nothing about the boys. There’s next to zero character development for any of them, including Joe.

Great story, great movie. Must see

A truly inspiring story while still being entertaining. The historical context is accurate, and the casting is phenomenal. Feels like you’re watching a true Hollywood film, which is rare these days. Definitely recommend!

I thought this was a decent movie. It’s pretty slow but the acting is very good.

THE BOYS IN THE BOAT has all the charms of a traditional inspirational movie, presented in a thoroughly traditional way. The film placidly flows along, hitting its marks and competently delivering an interesting story based on actual events. It's all very enjoyable, but never really rises above its own niceties to achieve the inspiring internal transformations that seem to be suggested throughout. Instead it has the spirit of inevitability that is very much of the American era it depicts.

A extraordinary true life story on film, one of my top 10 for 2024. I definitely recommend the book.