Boys In The Boat: Worth The Read?

The Boys in the Boat is a sports drama film based on the #1 New York Times bestselling non-fiction novel written by Daniel James Brown. The film, directed by George Clooney, is about the 1936 University of Washington rowing team that competed for gold at the Summer Olympics in Berlin. This inspirational true story follows a group of underdogs at the height of the Great Depression as they are thrust into the spotlight and take on elite rivals from around the world. The film has received mixed reviews, with some praising the cinematography and its ability to capture the beauty of the rivers, and others criticising the lack of character development and the rushed nature of the film.

The film adaptation of the book is disappointing

The film adaptation of the book, *The Boys in the Boat*, is disappointing. While the book is an inspiring true story of a group of underdogs, the film falls flat. Compressing the three-year story into a two-hour movie, the film fails to capture the essence of the book. It rushes through the characters' struggles, their training, and the build-up to the Olympic victory, making it hard for viewers to connect with the characters.

The film's portrayal of the rowing team's journey feels superficial and lacks depth. The book's detailed descriptions of the rowing practices and competitions are reduced to a few training montages and racing scenes in the film. The challenges and hardships faced by the team are glossed over, and the film does not do justice to the grit and determination of the athletes. The reviewers also criticise the lack of character development, especially for the supporting characters, who are reduced to one-dimensional roles.

The film's pacing is also an issue. By condensing the timeline, the film loses the sense of the team's journey and the build-up to their ultimate victory. The book's detailed account of the athletes' struggles and triumphs is reduced to a series of rushed events, making it difficult for viewers to invest in the characters and their journey.

The rowing scenes themselves have received mixed reviews. While some praise the cinematography and visual beauty of the racing scenes, others criticise the technical aspects of the rowing. The film's portrayal of the sport has been called "hard to watch" and "ridiculous" by rowers, who point out inaccuracies and unrealistic depictions of the sport.

Overall, while the film has its moments and is visually appealing, it fails to capture the depth and impact of the book. The rushed pacing, lack of character development, and superficial portrayal of the team's journey leave viewers feeling disappointed and underwhelmed. A mini-series format might have been a better choice to do justice to the rich source material.

The rowing scenes are unrealistic

The rowing scenes in *The Boys in the Boat* have been criticised for their lack of realism. The film is based on the true story of the University of Washington's 1936 Olympic crew team, who were a group of underdogs that overcame adversity to compete for gold at the Berlin Olympics. However, the film takes artistic licence with this story, depicting the team as novices who go on to win the Olympics in their third race ever, rather than the athletes having raced for several years prior. This has been a point of contention for viewers who are familiar with the sport and the true story, as it glosses over the hard work and struggle that went into the team's success.

The rowing scenes themselves have been described as "exquisitely beautiful" and "aesthetically pleasing", with "balletic precision". However, rowers and those familiar with the sport have pointed out technical inaccuracies in the rowing technique depicted. The actors did undergo training to learn how to row properly, and the cinematography has been praised for capturing the beauty of the rivers and the immediacy of the races. Nonetheless, the technical inaccuracies are jarring for those with knowledge of the sport, and it has been suggested that the film could have benefited from a longer runtime or a miniseries format to better depict the training and development of the team.

The condensing of the timeline in the film also contributes to a lack of character development and depth, which may be disappointing for those who were hoping to see more of the individual stories and dynamics within the team. The film focuses primarily on Joe Rantz, with the other team members remaining fairly one-dimensional. This may be another factor that contributes to the criticism of the rowing scenes, as the audience does not get a deeper understanding of the characters' backgrounds and motivations.

Overall, while the rowing scenes in *The Boys in the Boat* have been praised for their visual appeal and the actors' dedication to learning the sport, they have also been criticised for their technical inaccuracies and the condensed timeline, which may detract from the overall impact and realism of the film for viewers who are familiar with rowing.

The film lacks character development

The film adaptation of "The Boys in the Boat" has been criticised for its lack of character development, with some viewers feeling that the characters fell flat. The film focuses primarily on Joe Rantz, with little exploration of the other teammates' backstories or personalities. The female characters, Joyce and Hazel, are reduced to being pretty, vivacious, and supportive, with no room for depth.

The film's condensed timeline may have contributed to this, as it attempts to cover three years' worth of story and character development into a two-hour runtime. This compression results in a rushed feeling, and viewers are left with the impression that the characters are underdeveloped. One reviewer noted that by the end of the film, they felt like they didn't know anybody in the boat, despite the importance of the team's camaraderie and unity in the story.

The lack of character development may be due to the filmmakers' focus on other aspects, such as the rowing scenes, the historical setting, and the underdog narrative. While these elements may be well-executed and visually stunning, the characters suffer as a result, leaving the audience without a strong connection to the individuals in the boat.

The film is too rushed

The film adaptation of "The Boys in the Boat" has been criticised for feeling rushed, with some viewers feeling that the 2-hour runtime was insufficient to adequately cover the source material. The film condenses the true story's 3-year timeline into a single year, which some viewers felt did a disservice to the struggles and challenges faced by the team in real life.

One of the main criticisms of the film is that it lacks tension and fails to depict the grind and uncertainty of the team's journey. In the film, the team experiences very little failure or adversity, making their victories seem too easy and reducing the emotional impact of their triumphs. The film also fails to explore the backstories and personalities of the team members, leaving viewers feeling disconnected from the characters.

The film's fast pace and focus on the team's successes have been criticised for making the film feel formulaic and predictable. The training montage, while a classic trope of sports films, does little to convey the true extent of the team's hard work and dedication. The film also glosses over the team's losses and fails to build up compelling antagonists, further reducing the sense of challenge and suspense.

Overall, while the film does an adequate job of telling a conventional underdog story, it could have benefited from a longer runtime or a miniseries format to better explore the characters and their journey.

The film is still enjoyable

The film adaptation of *The Boys in the Boat* has received mixed reviews, with some viewers calling it "terrible" and "awful", while others describe it as "a good movie and a fine story". However, despite the criticisms, the film is still enjoyable for several reasons.

Firstly, *The Boys in the Boat* is a heartwarming and inspiring historical sports drama that emphasises the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and camaraderie. The story follows a group of underdogs who, during the bleak years of the Great Depression, overcome adversity and unite as a team to achieve success. This uplifting message resonates with viewers and leaves them feeling warm inside.

Secondly, the film features gorgeous visuals and heartfelt performances. The rowing scenes are beautifully captured, showcasing the precision and synchronisation of the sport. The races are filmed with kaleidoscopic overhead shots, adding to the excitement and drama of the competitions. The actors also underwent rigorous training to learn how to row properly, demonstrating their dedication to the film.

Thirdly, the film effectively conveys the struggles and challenges faced by the characters. The audience gets a sense of the grit and determination required to excel in rowing, even if some viewers felt that the training and hardships were not depicted in enough detail. The characters' economic struggles during the Great Depression are also portrayed, showing how the athletes dealt with poverty and the impact of a lack of parental support.

Additionally, the film captures the unique bond and dynamics within the team. Although some viewers felt that the character development was lacking, others appreciated the portrayal of the team's unity and the idea that they were "not eight, but one". The relationship between Joe Rantz and boatbuilder George Pocock also adds depth to the story, as Pocock becomes a father figure to Joe.

Lastly, the film is well-paced and engaging. While some viewers felt that the timeline was compressed and certain details were glossed over, others appreciated the streamlined narrative. The film manages to convey the key elements of the story without dragging on, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience.

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