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| Movie Review: Boy A Alternate Title: The Past Stays Present
Story: What should be done about
children who commit heinous crimes? Director John Crowley
takes us slowly down the path to the complicated answer of this question
in a very affecting film. It was written by Mark O’Rowe
and based on the novel by Jonathan Trigell. Trigell
was inspired to write the novel after the murder of three year of
James Patrick Bulger in 1993. He was abducted and brutally
murdered by two 10-year-old boys, Jon Venables and
Robert Thompson, in Merseyside, England. We meet 24 year old 'Jack' as he re-enters society after spending 14
years in prison for a serious crime. Crowley slowly and deliberately
metes out the story so we already have affection for this young man
before we know the nature of his past offense. Using clever snippets
of flashbacks combined with his new life we get to understand the nature
and back story of 'Jack'. The film is about the possibilities of redemption and forgiveness in
a society, where despite the laws of the land - human nature tends to
take over. This is a hard hitting film and not for the squeamish. The trailer gives too much of the storytelling
away, but here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VaSQNUt9H4 Acting: Andrew Garfield as Jack Burridge is amazing.
His portrayal of this damaged youth is right on target. Peter
Mullan as case worker Terry, is wonderful too. Katie
Lyons as girlfriend Michelle is perfect. Taylor Doherty
as Philip, the youthful other child offender is brilliantly frightening. Trivia: Peter Mullan won best leading actor at the
Cannes Film Festival in 1998 for My Name Is Joe. After appearing in
Braveheart, Scotsman Mullan said "Braveheart was a real big deal.
In our lifetime we had never seen the Scots as the heroes. They were
always the funny guy or the drunk or whatever." Mullan also directed
the fabulous film, The Magdalene Sisters. Predilection: I like to see award wining films. (BAFTA)
- The British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
Critters: A fish who does not fare well.
Food: Talk of pannini's and Mexican fare but none
eaten.
Sex Spectrum: A fumbling first sex scene.
Blatant Product Placement: NIKE
Soundtrack: Tense
Opening Titles: Simple type.
Visual Art: All of the interiors are bare.
Theater Audience: Nine people in total. We were a
third of the audience.
Weather: It is England. It seemed gray the entire
time.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: The entire plot outline is a hard topic
not to squirm about.
Drift Factor: I did not drift at all.
Predictability Level: Moderate.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: It was BAFTA worthy, but I think this
film is too much for the US mentality.
Soap Box: Crimes committed by juveniles is a tough
topic. Rehabilitation and expunging records are necessary in a civilized
society.
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine.
Length: Under two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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