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.

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.

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

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!!!!!

Owen gives a good performance but the script is uneven.

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!

It was an interesting story and pretty predictable. The only thing I thought would happen that didn't was with the female and love being a love interest.

Clive Owen is a sports writer and has to deal with being a single parent when his wife dies. He's generally a bad parent all around and does a things wrong. This film just never kept my interest. There was no sympathy for him since he was a bit of a jerk and I didn't really care for him. This could have been so much more, but as it stands, it isn't very good.

It must be a rite of Hollywood passage that Hunks play the part of the non-working, well-off-enough-to-be-a-stay-at-home-dad role. The boys are back is that same recycled script, over and over again, just replace the hunk, which Clive Owen undoubtedly is. Since 90% of us have to work to support our children, this is a nice fantasy to take us away from the drudgery of the rat race. But couldn't the fantasy include some of these hotties being in (or out of) their boxers a little more?

Full of emotion and stunning performances from Owen and the entire cast (younger actors definitely included). Just a rare kind of film that really hits the heart strings, at times. A must watch!

The Boys Are Back, has a very moving tale but the pacing is boring.

A simple & tender film about a father who has to raise his boys after his wife dies suddenly. It's shot stunningly in South Australia and although the story isn't complex it deals with some complex themes. It's more of a fly on the wall of an everyday family. Many scenes are full of life & truth especially the final scene. I think it's a nice film that is well worth a watch.

This movie was a surprise to me (in a good way) as I'd never heard of it before and only bothered with it because I saw Clive Owen's name attached. I can't understand why this movie has gone under the wire though and remained so underrated as the performances are just fantastic, particularly from the boy playing Owens youngest son, Artie (Nicholas McAnulty). He is amazing, acting like a real kid not a Hollywood version, complete with temper tantrums and utter brattiness that all parents will appreciate yet his grief is at times also absolutely heartbreaking. Filmed in South Australia (and England) the scenery is beautiful and only adds to this honest and well portrayed story of a father trying to cope and carry on following the death of his wife, while raising his two sons in a nonconformist way. This really is a story of fathers and sons as all the women have lesser roles. Despite the heavy content this still manages to have a few lighter comedic moments. Just a great heartfelt movie. 05.13

The boys are back is a slow paced movie about loss and single-parent difficulties. It's a subtle movie that shoots in beautiful Australia. The dad of the two boys makes many unnecessary mistakes, but which dad doesn't? It was entertaining and very nice to watch: 4 from 5 stars!

Clive Owen is one of my favorite actors, and I've wanted to watch this for quite a while, just never had time and just kept passing it up. Finally got around to watching it and it's just ok. It's a drama about a sports journalist whose wife dies and he is left to raise their son, along with a son who decides to live with him from a previous marriage. Now he has to juggle his grief, his songs grief, his career, being a single dad, and life in general. The movie has some very touching scenes and sad situations. However, the movie is slow and the characters aren't developed enough that you really feel for them. I'm a sucker for movies where kids are heartbroken("Finding Neverland" or "Incredibly Loud and Extremely Loud"), but here the scenes where the boys have breakdowns didn't effect me much. Having said that, the acting is all very good, it's just the story and direction just didn't work all that great for me. It's worth a watch if you are in the mood for a decent drama, but otherwise just skip over it.

Moving and funny. Clive Owen is great in this.

The Boys Are Back, has a very moving tale but the pacing is boring.

Another solid Australian film. Very touching, and grounded.

Among Clive Owens best performance and intimate films.

Great acting as always from Clive Owen but the story may be very depressing for some and that alone would put people off wanting to watch this