The Boys Are Back (12A) ***
A widower struggles to raise his young son in the aftermath of terminal illness in Scott Hicks's moving drama, based on the emotionally devastating memoir of Simon Carr.
By turns touching and funny, The Boys Are Back is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and a reminder that there is no instruction manual for good parenting.
Sometimes, you just have to muddle through and do as little damage as possible.
The film unfolds predominantly in the lush sprawl of South Australia and cinematographer Greig Fraser captures this wilderness in all its splendour.
Sports reporter Joe Warr (Clive Owen) follows his beloved wife Katy (Laura Fraser) to her home Down Under where the pair watch proudly as six-year-old son Artie (Nicholas McAnulty) spreads his wings.
Then their world implodes: Katy is struck down with terminal illness and with no hope of a recovery, the couple prepares for the worst. The mother fights bravely against the disease but eventually loses.
Unused to the role of primary care giver, Joe allows Artie the run of the house.
To add to the mayhem, Joe persuades his estranged teenage son, Harry (George MacKay), from his first marriage to join them in Australia for the summer.
The Boys Are Back is a compelling portrait of a family in crisis.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 11 February 2012
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