"Messy" would be the word to describe the style or manner of parenting that's favored by the character Clive Owen plays in "The Boys Are Back."

Messy would also be one word to describe the drama itself, which is based on some of Simon Carr's experiences as a single parent.

This filmed adaptation of Australian writer Carr's memoirs has several jarring shifts in tone and feels a little tentative and indecisive. It's almost as if the filmmakers were at odds about whether they wanted it to be touchy-feely or whether they wanted the film to be something more honest.

Yet when the film works, it works really well. It certainly doesn't hurt that it features Owen, an actor who's capable of making almost anything watchable.

He stars as Carr's fictional counterpart, a sportswriter named Joe Warr.

The British expatriate has just lost his beloved wife, Katy (Laura Fraser), to cancer. So now Joe is trying to balance his professional and personal responsibilities — which is difficult, since he's barely been there for his young son, Artie (Nicholas McAnulty), all along.

In fact, his mother-in-law, Barbara (Julia Blake), has offered to take the boy off his hands. But Joe stubbornly insists that Artie needs a father.

And just when that arrangement seems settled, Joe's son from another relationship — teenager Harry (George MacKay) — suddenly arrives on Joe's doorstep.

Director Scott Hicks has proved he's a visually inventive filmmaker, though some of his earlier works lacked warmth. This is far from chilly, though it has a very somber tone at times.

(An "indie-rock" soundtrack, featuring a few Sigur Ros songs, is actually a welcome addition in that regard.)

As for Owen, he's not afraid to look foolish as the frazzled, sometimes irresponsible and juvenile father.

He also works well with the younger cast members. Newcomer McAnulty is relaxed and natural, and Rupert Grint lookalike MacKay has more range than just an adolescent sulk.

"The Boys Are Back" features occasional strong profanity (including one usage of the so-called "R-rated" curse word), a few sexual references and other suggestive language, other off-color humor and references, derogatory language and slurs, brief violent content (roughhousing, as well as a brief bar brawl), and brief drug references (a fleeting allusion to drug addiction). Running time: 104 minutes.

e-mail: jeff@desnews.com