By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3 cats
Director: Luke Wolbach
Country: united_states
Year: 2007
Running time: 83
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0923877/
Michael says: “The synopsis of ROW HARD, NO EXCUSES is pretty simple: two men enter a competition to row across the Atlantic Ocean. First-time documentary filmmaker Luke Wolbach chronicles the men’s journey to the race and across the Atlantic, while exploring other themes, most notably a parent’s influence on their children. He also touches briefly in with several of the other competitors involved in the race to broaden the scope of the film.
“ROW HARD, NO EXCUSES presents a bit of a problem for the filmmaker; how to get footage of the actual race without being present. The answer, obviously, is to have the participants film the footage. This certainly lends to the reality of the situation, and Wolbach does a good job selecting what footage to include and edits it together to make a coherent story. The film begins with the two men coming to the decision to race, and preparing for it, which includes building a boat to the race organizer’s specifications. It is here when Wolbach introduces the idea of what drives a person to do such a thing as row across the Atlantic. It is a theme he will revisit from time to time throughout the film.
“Ultimately, for me, ROW HARD, NO EXCUSES, while a finely made film, doesn’t captivate me. I think a lot of that comes from the two protagonists, Tom Mailhot and John Zeigler. I’ve never been very interested in the concept of competition; and I also don’t understand that whole mountain-climbing mentality. Why do something life-threatening just to prove you can do it? Tom and John exhibit many of the competitive aspects that turn me off in men (especially straight men) and they both seem to be undergoing something of a mid-life crisis. On top of that, the entire element of pleasing a distant father is always present. These things combine to make a fascinating study of these two men… for someone else, I’m sure.
“I was much more interested in the young British woman who began the race with her husband, but after a few days where he gave up, she continued on to complete the race solo! While there is footage of her included in the film, I would have much preferred to see more. Perhaps in counterpoint to Tom and John’s stories.
“Still, it’s an ambitious and technically successful film that is sure to appeal to many. 3 cats
“ROW HARD NO EXCUSES screened at the Provincetown International Film Festival”