George Clooney's 'fantastic' period drama you only have days to watch before axe

Daily Record

13-06-2025

The biographical sports drama is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer
George Clooney's 2023 directorial venture, The Boys in the Boat, is a biographical sports drama adapted from Daniel James Brown's 2013 book of the same name.
With a screenplay by Mark L. Smith and produced by Clooney himself, this period drama premiered in Los Angeles in December 2023, followed by a theatrical release.
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The Boys in the Boat raked in an estimated $55 million at the box office. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics upon its release, it was a hit with audiences.
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While the film holds a 57 per cent approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, the audience rating stands at a remarkable 96 per cent. The film brings to life the inspiring true story of the University of Washington's underdog rowing team.
It focuses on the team's determined coach Al Ulbrickson (played by Joel Edgerton) and master boatbuilder George Pocock (portrayed by Peter Guinness), who along with the rest of the team, overcame personal hardships and economic class struggles during the Great Depression to compete in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, reports the Express.
The film is currently available for streaming on BBC iPlayer until 15 June. While some critics lauded the film's direction: "George Clooney's disarmingly old-school rowing movie gets it right."
Others were less impressed: "It's time to ask the question, 'Is there any genre that George Clooney can't direct ... badly?'".
One critic described the film, saying: "The Boys in the Boat is an old-fashioned and solid historical biography that ticks a lot of the right boxes.
"It's not going to set tongues wagging but what it does do is tell an inspiring story with polish and a deftness befitting the genre."
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Another offered a more critical view: "Clooney just doesn't tell us enough about either the boys or the boat."
A balanced critique of the movie read: "A film that often feels like one has walked into an oil painting: well-crafted, lovely to look at, and rather old-fashioned."
Audience reactions were overwhelmingly positive, with one viewer enthusing: "Movies based on a true story are my favorite. George Clooney in my opinion did an awesome job.
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"The cast was great. The races on the water were filmed phenomenally exciting!! This movie got an applause from all who watched it in the theater!!!"
Another viewer expressed their admiration for the film and its effect on them: "I love the historical drama genre. I've seen this movie 3 times in one year. It's so good and inspiring. George Clooney is a really good director.
"The actors did an amazing job. The first time I watched this was right before the Paris Olympics started, which made me want to watch the rowers during the actual Olympics."
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One viewer described it as: "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!".
A review from the audience read: "Excellent movie! Especially knowing that this happened in real life. It is very inspiring, and very well done. I highly recommend seeing this film!" While another lauded it as a "brilliant film" possessing a "fantastic feel good factor".
Capturing the essence of the film's soaring audience ratings, one viewer reflected: "We laughed, we cried, we clapped and cheered while watching The Boys in the Boat. Well done George Clooney."