The Boat Race (2009) User Reviews

A moving, touching and sensitive film

[elenerem · 8/10 · 8 March 2010]

This is a moving, touching, sensitive film set in an original environment usually not given much coverage: rowing. The actors' performance is very convincing. Inspired by Bellefroid's own experience, it is a social drama, the poignant story of Alex, a teenager who is an adolescent repeatedly beaten by his father with whom he is living. He finds escape from this violence by immersing himself in rowing to win the Belgian championship. The film's authenticity and dramatic impact is heightened by the convincing performances from some extremely talented actors.

The setting of the Meuse river where he rows is radiant. The rock soundtrack illustrates well Alex's rage used in a positive way, to surpass himself in the boat. It contrasts with the dark side of the apartment where much tension is felt. It is the story of a harsh relationship between a father and his son, the inability to show love when suffering is overwhelming. At the Rowing Club, with the help of the coach, Sergi, and Murielle, the girl he's in love with, Alex will learn how to regain human values, to exchange with others, to love... He is initiated to the values of rowing: willpower, surpassing of oneself, solidarity, team spirit. It is a sport requiring strength and endurance and Alex needs these qualities to be able to escape his suffocating past.

Regatta

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 6 December 2011]

Alex has had a tough relationship with his abusive father Thierry. A fine athlete, Alex has been a hopeful rising star in rowing. When we first meet the men, they have come back after a two months absence. Alex has installed a rowing exercise device so he can practice at home, only to be discouraged by Thierry. The men work as stock clerks in a supermarket. Their superior is a man who steals merchandise from the big store to make an illegal profit outside. Thierry, who has been involved with the man before, wants no part on his scheme anymore. He warns Alex not to fall in that trap.

The rowing coach, Sergi, is sore at Alex because of his disappearance. The young man shows a promise, so even against his better judgment, Sergie decides to accept Alex once more. Instead of having him row solo in competition, he wants to pair him with a newcomer, Pablo, whose potential he thinks is better used in teaming him with Alex. The two guys clash; neither one wants to be in a team, they rather compete alone. Sergi prevails in making them see the importance of team work, something neither one is ready to accept.

At work, Alex is lured to help the supervisor steal some liquor, which Thierry has warned him against. Alex gets a cut for his efforts, but his father feels there is something wrong with the son. The old man gets fired because he cannot get along with the supervisor. That brings more hostility between father and son. Alex does not get peace of mind so he can concentrate in the impending regatta.

Belgian director Bernard Bellefroid's "Regate" is a coming of age film, as well as a character study between a father and a son. The director, co-wrote the screenplay with David Lambert. The events surrounding the relationship between Thierry, the abusive man, and his son Alex, are never quite revealed, although it is easy to understand the conflict between the father, who can do harm to his own son. The viewer must assume what made these two fall apart. Alex is saved by his tenacity in his resolve to compete in the boat race against his father's wishes because he wants a better life for himself, seeing the bad example in his old man's behavior, who can almost kill him in a moment of rage.

Joffrey Verbruggen, who plays Alex, seems to be heading in the right direction for a career in his country's cinema. He kept reminding this viewer of Jeremie Renier, another Belgian actor that has gone to big productions in his native land as well as in France. Thierry Hancisse seen as the father, is also quite effective in the film. He is a hard man to like in the film. Sergi Lopez is the rowing coach.

It's so difficult to be a father

[atunoa · 9/10 · 10 November 2010]

This film is rare, and it is not easy. One attends all the way along account an ill-treatment which revolts us. One wants to shout for Alexandre, one wants to push back this unworthy father. But it is not so simple, the child loves his father and the father loves his son, but it do not have any means of being able to say it. How this father could it give love whereas it does not have any for him even. Its life is made only frustrations, that it will drown in alcohol when that is too badly. The son, he is alone, the sport is his only exit, his only hope to be able to exist.

Thierry Hancisse is terrible in this role, one hates it, but it is felt sorry for. There are a few pieces of lived sound which arises in this play difficult to like and to be violent with that which one likes.

Joffrey Verbruggen in the role of Alexandre returns to us in front of all these friends, whom we had children, and who never acknowledged us that they had unworthy parents. The years passers by, we discovered, like Sergi Lopez, the trainer of Alexandre, that this silence and this violence, hid a situation impossible to express.

One knows a whole a Alexandre and Thierry, one would like that Sergi a little more often exist in their life.

real beautiful

[Vincentiu · 16 April 2015]

a story about violence and dreams. refreshing, cold, delicate, touching. picture of fall and about an age. an useful film. for each viewer. because its message is more than moralistic. because its beauty has deep roots. because the acting is impressive. because it is a story about society more than about a family. because it presents in precise manner, with splendid grace, the hope. because it is a film about basic things who defines life. without verdicts, out of judgment circles. story of a teenager , it has universal value. and that does it more than a good film. or a lesson. it could be a necessary testimony about contemporary Belgian cinema.