The Boys in the Boat (2023) review

Short on funds and unable to pay for his tuition at the University of Washington (this is during the Great Depression), Joe Rantz (Callum Turner) tries out for the school's rowing team, he makes the squad, the boys have to compete against rivals at the University of California and then face the Ivies in Poughkeepsie ... and eventually they wind up at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, where they win the Gold Medal facing brutal competition (and irritate Hitler himself!).  While this is based on a true (and uplifting) story - about a bunch of "less fortunate kids" beating out the "privileged elites" - it's still American schmaltz that hits all the familiar beats: there's an pretty blonde (Hadley Robinson) who only exists to dote on Joe, a snarly coach (Joel Edgerton), a sagely boat-maker (Peter Guinness), an uncomfortable reunion with a deadbeat father (Alec Newman), some infighting among the lads and, ultimately, athletic glory.  I don't think Clooney managed, like he intended, to make the sport seem that exciting, but it's not for a lack of effort - that last shot, which had to have been inspired by Steven Spielberg, is just a smidge too much.