The Boys Are Back

When Aussie sports writer Joe Warr's (Owen) wife dies from cancer, he becomes a single dad to his two sons--a six-year-old and a rebellious teen--without much of a clue as to how to proceed. Joe's philosophy degenerates into a lack of rules, which constantly puts them all on the brink of family disaster. Owens' excellent performance, combining toughness and sensitivity, saves it from sinking into melodrama. Possibly a little too picturesque with its scenic South Australian vistas, the setting doesn't always jive with the story's angst. Similarly, the glib title doesn't do justice to the emotional hardship and redemption all principal characters experience. Based on Simon Carr's 2001 memoir.