First Hit: Mildly interesting and a bit disjointed, I struggled to understand why this film was made because it didn’t seem to have a point.
Clive Owen is wonderful to watch even in this somewhat pointless film. Since seeing him in The Croupier he’s been someone who I've loved to watch and can dynamically bring something to a character if given the chance.
In this movie Clive plays Joe Warr a sports reporter who spends weeks away from home, arrives with presents for his son Artie whom he calls “sweetheart” (played by Nicholas McAnulty), and loving adoration for his wife Katy (played by Laura Fraser).
She collapses one evening and dies soon afterwards. Joe decides, for some reason, to bring up Artie in an unstructured way, meaning he lets the home become a mess with dirty dishes lying around for weeks at a time and basically supports the kid doing whatever he wants. Some of these decisions seem to be made from guilt for not being around more and other times the decisions look like they come from not knowing what to do.
Neither of these are invalid but there isn't much learning going on here. Whenever he does try to discipline Artie he apologizes afterward. The act of apologising happens a lot throughout this film and I'm not always sure why.
Joe’s older son Harry (played by George McKay) who lives in England decides to come live with him and Artie which brings a new dimension of apologies and dynamics. Upon Harry’s arrival there is bonding between the boys and eventually, towards the films end, a healing between Joe and his older son.
Owen was at his charming best when interacting with Emma Booth playing the parent of one of Artie’s school mates. Scott Hicks directed this film and given the material it was adequate. I’m not sure why this film needed to be made as I didn’t get the point; unless it was to remind the audience that there is more than one way to raise children. But I knew that already.
Overall: This film was mildly amusing, not all that thoughtful, and more like something to watch on video if you’ve got nothing better to do.