The Boys Are Back (film)

Plot

Joe Warr (Clive Owen) is a British sports writer who lives in Australia with his second wife, Katy (Laura Fraser) and his young son Artie (Nicholas McAnulty). Katy is diagnosed with cancer and dies, forcing Joe to cope with the responsibilities of being a single parent.

Joe's teenage son from his first marriage, Harry (George MacKay), feels abandoned in the UK with his mother. Harry uses Katy's death as an opportunity to try to build a relationship with his father, coming to visit him in Australia. Although Harry is initially unnerved by the lack of discipline in the house, he eventually forms a strong bond with Artie, while struggling to foster a closer relationship with Joe.

When Joe is forced by work to leave his sons alone in the house for a night, local teenagers throw a party at the house against both boys' will.

With the house ransacked, Harry flies back to England, fearful of Joe's reaction. Joe and Artie go after him. After much discussion, Joe convinces Harry to move to Australia on a permanent basis.

The trio return to Australia, and together shoulder the responsibilities of running the household without a female influence.

Cast

Reception

The film holds a 72% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 81 reviews.

Box office

The Boys Are Back grossed $2,117,064 at the box office in Australia, and $809,752 in the US, grossing $3,185,839 worldwide.