Product Details

• Actors: Jon Bon Jovi, Ling Bai, William Forsythe, Jill Hennessy, Peter Kwong
• Directors: Sollace Mitchell
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: York Home Video
• VHS Release Date: June 19, 2001
• Run Time: 106 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005BCOW
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #204,175 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Taking its title from a children's song and its story of crime and redemption from countless American indie dramas, Row Your Boat is a sweet and not altogether predictable tale of recently released convict Jamey Meadows (Jon Bon Jovi) trying to get it right the second time around. Refusing help from his brother and former partner in crime (William Forsythe), he gets a job as a census taker to save enough cash for an apartment. On his rounds he meets pretty Chinese immigrant Chun Hua (Bai Ling), the unhappy trophy wife of a 60-year-old businessman, and spends his off hours teaching her English just for her company. True love? Maybe not, but she could be Jamey's second chance if he can stay clear of his brother, whose debts to a local loan shark push him to ever more desperate schemes. Writer-director Sollace Mitchell never quite avoids the clichés of the smalltime urban crime drama, but his refreshingly matter-of-fact direction balances the dangerous with the mundane. There's nothing glamorous in these minor heists or in Jamey's efforts to keep his self-respect and hope alive while living out of homeless shelters and killing time on the streets. Perhaps that's why this modest film got lost in the shuffle: it avoids the easy drama of violent showdowns to explore the real struggle of surviving the streets. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably one of the best underdog films of 2001!!!, September 6, 2001

By 

"[e-mail]" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Row Your Boat (DVD)

When I watched this movie, Jon Bon Jovi's great performance made me forget that he was an international rock-star! His great performance as a homeless ex-con in this film made me think of him as a bona-fide actor, and nothing else. His acting, along with the good story-line, is what sells this film. The story depicts a true-to-life drama that is not overshadowed by exorbitant special-effects or other ubsurdities. I believe this is the reason why it did not receive the recognition it deserves; it wasn't marketable to today's public. However, please do not let this stop you from buying, or at the very least, renting this film. The story is awesome, the support cast is great, and the lead role played by Jon Bon Jovi will make you sympathize with his situation. Personally, this film may just be the stepping stone for Jon Bon Jovi into a great film career. You do not want to miss this film, and above all, you do not want to miss Jon's performance.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars World class acting from Jon Bon Jovi!, July 4, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Row Your Boat (DVD)

I thought this movie was wonderful. I got it because I'm a huge BON JOVI fan. This movie was very good. You could see based on the past films he had done, his acting has come a long way. Jon was believable the whole time. I suggest this movie to everyone. The acting is so good that it isn't just for the JBJ fan. Go get it .Great story line. The only thing that gave it away that it was a low budget film was the editing, other than that I would see this in the theater.
I like this movie over the movie No Looking Back. Maybe because Jon is the star! Enjoy.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Jon was Great, November 4, 2001

By 

"sandvquality" (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Row Your Boat (DVD)

I purchased this movie purely knowing that Jon Bon Jovi had a lead roll. Being from Australia this movie is not available here, so I purchased it through Amazon blind, knowing very little about it (pretty risky). Jon is pretty convincing as an ex con trying to go the straight and narrow. Mixed in with a soppy love story is always a winner with me. Highly recommended viewing, those dreamy blue eyes just reel you in, if nothing else the perve value was worth the extra cost (with the exchange rate being so poor). I'm happy to have this movie in my home movie collection.