The Boys in the Boat: Does this Boat Sink or Swim?

Have you ever had a movie experience where you are thinking of ways the movie could be improved throughout watching it? The Boys in the Boat was that experience for me. To be clear, it isn't a bad film per se. The Boys in the Boat hits the needed beats for an underdog sports movie, has a production design that makes the setting feel like the 1930s era it is set in, and has you rooting for the USA rowing team. I don't get into spoilers with my reviews, so I'll be vague about what frustrated me with the film. In fact, I'll dedicate a whole paragraph to questions that went through my mind in the theater.

What do we know about the personalities/characteristics of the rowing team members? Why didn't the filmmakers give a certain romantic relationship a solid conclusion? Shouldn't we know more about the motivations of the coaching staff? Why aren't we being shown more of the protagonist's backstory (we're told a lot of it, but showing is more effective than telling in films)? Why did the very beginning and very end of the film seem lazy (you'll see what I mean)?

I won't go on and on with even more questions, you get my perspective. There will be audience members who find The Boys in the Boat to be a very satisfying movie experience. I don't expect every underdog sports film to be Miracle or Hoosiers, but I need more to be invested in the story.


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