jackphilipmoore Review of The Boys in the Boat

The Boys in the Boat (2023)

Totally deviates from the book. Terrible script, little character development

[3/10 · 27 December 2023]

As a fervent admirer of Daniel James Brown's masterful novel "The Boys in the Boat," it pains me to witness the cinematic adaptation's dismal descent into the depths of creative mismanagement. While the book brought the compelling true story of the University of Washington's rowing team to life with vivid prose and meticulous research, the film adaptation seems to have taken its own creative liberties with reckless abandon. Let's start with the few redeeming qualities. The actors, who seemed to be well-cast on paper, brought a sense of authenticity to their roles. Their performances were, at times, the lifebuoys attempting to keep this sinking ship afloat. However, even the most seasoned actors couldn't rescue the film from the disastrous screenplay that plagued the entire narrative. The script, in its misguided attempt to condense the rich and nuanced details from the book, left much to be desired. Leaving several important races and moments out of the narrative, it felt jagged. It's as if the screenwriter took a hacksaw to the heart of the story, leaving behind a disjointed and diluted version of the epic tale. Subplots were discarded like excess baggage, and the emotional depth, the brotherhood of the characters that made the book so moving was reduced to mere ripples on the surface. Creative license is a powerful tool in filmmaking, but in the case of "The Boys in the Boat," it felt more like an abuse of power. The liberties taken with historical accuracy were not only unnecessary but downright disrespectful to the real-life individuals whose stories were being told. The camera work, while commendable, couldn't salvage the wreckage caused by the script and the disregard for historical fidelity. The sweeping shots of rowers gliding through the water were visually stunning, but these moments were fleeting, and the overall impact was drowned out by the script's inadequacies. In conclusion, "The Boys in the Boat" movie is a sinking ship that fails to do justice to the extraordinary source material. While the actors and the camera work put forth valiant efforts, the script's shortcomings and the painful creative license taken ultimately leave audiences adrift in disappointment. Stick to the book, where the true beauty of this remarkable story unfolds with the respect and authenticity it deserves.