Who payed the critics

Stylish but barely mediocre overall

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

.Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

This movie plays like a throwback to 1960s era TV sitcoms, with nothing from the cheesy "special effects" to the "family" dynamics of three septuagenarian bachelors living under one roof likely to raise an eyebrow if some of the original MY THREE SONS viewers "flashed forward" to watch THE GOLDEN BOYS. From its opening grumbling about the quality of the grub the oldster trio is capable of making for each other (and their naive assumption that one wife will be enough to go around) to the final little jig Captain Jerry (Rip Torn) secretly dances to celebrate getting his way, the plot turns are as predictable as the Pittsburgh Pirates finishing the baseball season with more losses than wins. Which is not to say that watching THE GOLDEN BOYS is worse than water-boarding.On the contrary, Bruce Dern, Rip Torn, and David Carradine generate a certain chemistry, while lesser player Charles Durning is spot on in his role as death warmed over. Furthermore, Mariel Hemingway lends a poignant touch to her role as a prospective wife ordered from the want ads. The fact that she gave Carradine one of his final thrills before he died in real life during post-production is brought out on this movie's DVD extra, titled FROM ZEN MASTER TO SHIPMASTER: THE LIFE AND CAREER OF DAV!D CARRADINE (which is a somewhat cheesy, exploitative title, since this featurette clocks in at 40 minutes plus in its awkward effort to combine the traditional "making of" function with a tribute to its fallen star). At any rate, the late actor states Hemingway provided him his first opportunity to kiss a "man-sized woman," though I was not sure if he meant just on film, or overall.

I hate to rain on the Cape Cod parade, but this film was unsatisfying. I don't know if it was the budget or incompetence, but the film just never felt like it was set in 1905. Somehow I don't think 70 year olds in 1905 had perfect teeth, but that's just one small thing. Mariel Hemingway was either miscast or awful. She was too young (47) and her accent was inconsistent and all over the U.S. One moment it was refined New England, and then it might be small town hick. Rip Torn's character, frozen in one facial expression the entire movie, made no sense. Even after two disastrous marriages, what 70 y.o. man is going to turn down 47 y.o. Mariel Hemingway? The ship wreck and rescue were just amateur film making, or maybe budget problems.What was most frustrating was the writer seemed to leave so many opportunities on the table. I think ultimately they couldn't decide between romance and comedy, so did neither well. Was it going to be "Grumpy Old Men" or "On Golden Pond"?Despite it's failings, the film has a bit of charm. If you are really good at suspending disbelief, you may find it reasonably entertaining.

Like reading a good book before a roaring fire, "The Golden Boys" is that type of movie. Charming and relaxing, the movie takes it's time to let you really get to know the three retired sea captains. David Carradine, Rip Torn, and Bruce Dern, all are terrific, and depicting the 1905 Cape Cod location with great realistic photography adds to the enjoyment. My only nitpick with this film is regarding the title. In my opinion, "The Golden Boys" sounds more like a sitcom than a feature film about three cantankerous old seaman. Nevertheless, if you enjoy quiet movies, that take their time with the story, this is a must see. - MERK

That summary does not sound like much. Yes the story takes place in Chatham Mass. & Cape Cod.I doubt than any of us can remember that time as it was over 100 years ago. So let us just take the movie as a delightful fantasy, except for the fact that advertising for a housekeeper with a romantic attachment was popular was still popular. This was before the Internet, very few homes in rural areas had telephones.What we have here are 3 retired sea Captains who share a house. They put an ad in the newspaper for a housekeeper. These 3 charming old codgers are enacted to the hilt by David Carradine, Bruce Dern & Rip Torn The 3 of them been in Film & TV since the 1950's & sure know how to do roles like this. Mariel Hemingway is the lady who answers the ad. She always was a talented actress.In support are other stars from the past. Charles Durning,John Savage & in a cameo the magnificent Julie Harris.Rip Torn' daughter Angelina Torn has a nice role as well.Life in 1905 was slow moving, and the film is slow at times as well. Very nicely written & directed by Daniel Adams,Its is an adaptation of a novel.Like most independent films ,that do not rely on action,this had a small run in a handful (under 20) earlier in 2009.It is not a riotous comedy by any means,but is an enjoyable trip back in time to a tiny town on Cape Cod in 1905.Ratings: *** (out of 4) 83 points (out of 100) IMDb 7 (out of 10)