La race des champions

Nicholas Cage plays Canadian rowing champion, Ned Hanlan, from his humble beginnings rowing illegal liquor across the border, to his championship race in England. The problem is, you've seen it all before. Pick any boxing, baseball, or football film, and you will be on very familiar ground with "The Boy in Blue". In addition, Cage's romance of Cynthia Dale comes across as really sappy and uninteresting. The movie plays like a series of Victorian postcards. Even usually reliable villain, Christopher Plummer, is no more ruthless than a puppy dog. This movie is way too predictable, toothless, and sugar coated, and does not live up to expectations. - MERK

The Boy in Blue may not have had the sexiest tag line: Hanlan was one of the first scullers to successfully utilize the "sliding seat."

But hey, there are a lot of movies that don't sound great on paper but in execution, they're something special.

This film is special. You can feel the intensity in Nic Cage's eyes. He takes you on a journey you will not soon forget.

And who can forget such classic lines such as 'This is making me sick wearing these monkey suits', and 'Get up, Harvard man!'

It's impossible to see anybody else in this role.

10/10

Nick Cage was only 22 when he made this period piece. Chariots of Fire (1981) must have been in the back of his mind. Ned Hanlon was not a big enough name to interest the viewer, and he was a naive young man. But it was a nice, but not remarkable movie. He did build his pecs up for this-- he always gets into his character.

Found this to be a most fascinating film and a sport I wonder, if anyone does today?? Ned really had some fortitude to go forth and not be struck down by bullies, which obviously were in this profession back then. I believe he was awesome to become a Champion rower on 3 continents. Wonder if anyone in this class today can do as well? Its truly a workout to stay in shape for such competition. I believe Cage did an excellent job in this film even if he was only 22 years old!!

Rocky meets Canadian Heritage Minutes, so be thankful that it's not absolutely unwatchable. The underdog-friendly class consciousness is pervasive and fitfully amusing, although it's schematic and sentimental as well. Heroic rowing star/bootlegger Nicolas Cage is his usual dopey, wooden, charming self, and he has some lively moments, especially when he comes into conflict with the starched shirt types. Christopher Plummer's villainous manager is nothing to write home about, but even he transcends this material; in all other cases the costumes and hair seem to be doing all the acting. The frantically underlined Careful Research, and the general odor of educational intent, smother the valiant gestures at comedy, and the pricey period detail of the production design is wholly undermined by a dramatic arc that is pure 1980s bootstrap trash.