The true story of George Clooney's new film as a director

Latest film directed by George Clooney, who showed his skills as a director long ago when he left his acting career behind. from the book Paddling as one man (Boys in the boat) l Daniel James Brown (2013), screenwriter Mark L. Smith recreates the history of the Olympic rowing team in the manner of the eight that represented the United States at the Olympic Games. Berlin in 1936. It was a college team from Seattle, Washington. It was made up of some first-year students who trained at Lake Washington, and under the supervision of coach Al Olbrikson (Joel EdgertonIt started giving amazing results.

Within the sports genre, this feature film does not offer great news compared to what we have seen in many films, whether they are based on real events or not. One of the latest releases that has many points in common with this one was Twelve orphans (T. Roberts, 2021). However, this lack of originality does not mean that it is not a recommended film, especially for a family audience. The plot presents us in the form of a large flashback representing the memories possessed by the elderly Joe Rantz (Ian McElhenney) while training his grandson in rowing.

We travel through his memories to the 1930s, where the poor and abandoned Joe Rantz lives (Callum Turner), who makes his living in an old truck, receives a scholarship to enter University of Washington. It is this character who will serve as our guide for the journey that will take a newly formed college team of freshmen to the Olympics, despite opposition from the top brass in North American sports. The team will compete in regional and national competitions until it reaches Berlin, where Hitler's Germany He wants to prove his superiority over the whole world.

The scenario presents us with some secondary characters that are among the best in the film, such as the aforementioned coach, or the man who risks his career by believing in every one of the boys, or the student Don Hume (Jack Mulhern), a lonely boy with health problems who will be crucial to the team's development. It is also interesting that George (Peter Guinness), the old man who repairs canoes, a constant source of wisdom, experience and good advice: “Joe, your father abandoned you, the only thing you know is abandonment, but you're not like him.” Because without a doubt, it is Joe who carries a more determined past; This is characterized by abandonment, a life of loneliness and poverty.

There is also no shortage of romantic plots and of course the wonderfully shot sports scenes. There are very obvious touches, like Hitler's cartoonish tone or some catchy phrases, but the result is successful and fun, wrapped in gorgeous – sometimes very dark – photography. It also has a bit of a Patriots and Yankee movie vibe, which is really tiring. But the message of camaraderie and unity is undoubtedly the most compelling.