Imagine a young George Clooney, not the Hollywood icon we know today but the one from his “Facts of Life” years, grabbing an oar, getting in the water, and portraying a member of an American crew team taking on Nazis on the big screen. It’s a scenario that might have been, as Clooney, now the director of the new period sports drama “The Boys in the Boat,” reminisces about his younger days and the excitement of acting in various roles.
Reflecting on the film, Clooney expresses admiration for the real rowers he cast as extras, emphasizing their towering heights, upwards of 6-foot-8. However, he acknowledges that, physically, he wouldn’t have measured up to the giants. Despite this, he fondly recalls the thrill of being a young actor, shooting in unconventional locations like Bratislava, Slovakia, and learning unique skills while immersing himself in the lives of diverse people.
Based on Daniel James Brown’s 2013 book, “The Boys in the Boat” stars British actor Callum Turner as Joe Rantz, a homeless University of Washington student who joins the rowing squad in 1936. The film follows Rantz’s journey from trying out for the team to competing at the Berlin Olympics against the formidable German team.
Clooney highlights the challenges faced by Rantz and his junior varsity team, emphasizing the progression from beating seniors to overcoming rich kids and, ultimately, facing Hitler in the Berlin Olympics. Despite the grim historical context, the director injects humor, framing Hitler as the “final bad guy.”
Callum Turner, who plays Joe Rantz, resonates deeply with the character’s inspiring story. He finds the determination of the real Rantz, who raised himself from the age of 15, particularly moving. Turner reflects on Rantz’s decision not to let his difficult circumstances define him and his ultimate success, describing it as a personal inspiration.
For Clooney, directing “The Boys in the Boat” presented an opportunity for redemption in the sports film genre, especially after feeling dissatisfied with his 2008 football comedy, “Leatherheads.” He notes that rowing films often lacked excitement, and he aimed to create a visually compelling version inspired by the speed and intensity seen in the Netflix show “Formula 1: Drive to Survive.”
To capture the sport’s dynamism, Clooney faced the challenge of turning his actors into Olympic rowers within five months. The cast spent extensive hours on the water and in the gym, creating a bond that, according to Turner, will last a lifetime. Clooney strategically saved filming the final Olympic race for the end, ensuring the actors were as trained as possible.
The director praises the actors for reaching the same speed – 46 strokes per minute – as the real rowers, even if only for 30 seconds compared to the five and a half minutes of the actual race. Clooney, at 62, admits he never got in the boat but humorously describes his position on the shore, holding a glass of wine while the actors demonstrated their rowing prowess.
Looking ahead, Clooney, who stars alongside Brad Pitt in “Wolfs” and features in an upcoming Noah Baumbach Netflix movie, may not venture into rowing, but he remains an incredible basketball player. Turner recounts a day on set where Clooney, next to his trailer, showcased his basketball skills, leaving the younger cast members impressed.
While rowing may not be Clooney’s sport, his latest directorial venture, “The Boys in the Boat,” promises an exciting and visually captivating depiction of a historic rowing saga, capturing the determination, camaraderie, and triumphs of the young American team in the face of adversity.