Jason KingBoy A ($16-)
November 7th 2009 10:42
:
BRILLIANT FILM
Category: No Category
Boy A ($16-)
All I can say about this film is WOW!!!
OK - I have a bit more to say.......
The screenplay by Mark O'Rowe, from the multi award winning novel of the same title by Jonathan Trigell is just mind blowingly sensational.
Jack (Andrew Garfield) is released from prison, finally, at the age of 24; having been institutionalized for most of his life. He and another boy murdered a child, when they were themselves children.
The film follows Jack's attempts to readjust to the world outside of confinement and restart a life which never really got going.
Under the fatherly mentor-ship of Terry (Peter Mullan) his parole contact and social worker, he experiences a coming of age, which would normally have happened years ago.
But forces from the past are constantly upon him, as we learn more about the events leading up to the crime which has ruined so many lives, there is an increasing sense of suspense, intrigue and ultimately doom: the tabloid press and Terry's real son are not going to let things lie.
After finding Andrew Garfield the best thing about the recent film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, I found through some research some of his other pieces of work and today I found Boy A sitting as a new release at the DVD shop. What an amazing find and what a talented actor, I cannot wait to see more of him and he has now moved up the ladder of my fave actors.
Garfield presents us with a turmoiled character in this gripping tragedy worthy of Shakespeare. He manages to express an inner battle and coming of age story from a character in his twenties. He is so shy and humble and through facials and body movement succesfully shows the numerous emotions facing someone returning into society that missed many years of his growing up due to being institutionalised. Seeing atonement, wonder, discovery, guilt, confusion, terror and acceptance all on a face in the space of ten minutes is sensational to say the least.
The topic of this story is a confusing one, in his past life Jack murdered a young girl when he was incredibly young. Now he is legally redeemed but his past life will never escape him. The film is art house in its styling and explanations - nearly everything is left to interpretation in the last ten minutes. You never even know if Jack killed the young girl, it is assumed but you never see it. Also, as to what happens to Jack and his girlfriend this is also never clearly explained but I like it that way. I will be hunting down the novel, described as the most discussable book of 2008 in the UK, to see if it sheds more light onto the outcome but I know my thoughts on the ending, but will not share them here as they will end up being spoilers.
The biggest success of this film is getting us to support Jack during his tough times of rehabilitation into the world but leaving us questioning ourselves as to whether we made the correct choice. This is achieved by following our character during current time by splicing in scenes of the past, as well as dreams, visions and hopes of past and present. It is also achieved by not spelling out every letter of the ending and by allowing us to ponder as to what happened. It's thought provoking and at times disturbing but succesful in achieving it's goals. So succesful the film cleaned up the BAFTAS winning awards for Best Actor, Director, Editor and Cinematography and it deserved every one of them. I am so shocked this was not nominated for an Oscar and thoroughly pissed off it went straight to DVD in Australia while so much crap gets released. Spread the word people - this film deserves to be viewed.
The cinematogrpahy of Rob Hardy is exceptional and this film has one of the best scenes showing the ecstacy of the hit of an ecstacy pill I have ever seen on film. He is flying and having an internal time of his life and I could nearly go so far as to say - it looks real. Was that method Garfield?
All the supporting actors are flawless and to be honest there is nothing in this film that annoyed me, OK - the asshole son but that's about it and he's meant to be an asshole to show the conflicts that Terry has, a man who has lost his family over career but spends his life dedicated to helping people rehabilitate into society, a man that really cares and would take Jack as a son.
I can't rave enough about this film and it is out on DVD NOW - do yourself a favour and watch it - it's not all laughs, smiles and love but it is a film that demands a viewing and respect and thanks to big film studios deciding what films get screened to the public not many people will get to see this one but if you do I do not think you will be disappointed. Worth $16-
All I can say about this film is WOW!!!
OK - I have a bit more to say.......
The screenplay by Mark O'Rowe, from the multi award winning novel of the same title by Jonathan Trigell is just mind blowingly sensational.
Jack (Andrew Garfield) is released from prison, finally, at the age of 24; having been institutionalized for most of his life. He and another boy murdered a child, when they were themselves children.
The film follows Jack's attempts to readjust to the world outside of confinement and restart a life which never really got going.
Under the fatherly mentor-ship of Terry (Peter Mullan) his parole contact and social worker, he experiences a coming of age, which would normally have happened years ago.
But forces from the past are constantly upon him, as we learn more about the events leading up to the crime which has ruined so many lives, there is an increasing sense of suspense, intrigue and ultimately doom: the tabloid press and Terry's real son are not going to let things lie.
After finding Andrew Garfield the best thing about the recent film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, I found through some research some of his other pieces of work and today I found Boy A sitting as a new release at the DVD shop. What an amazing find and what a talented actor, I cannot wait to see more of him and he has now moved up the ladder of my fave actors.
Garfield presents us with a turmoiled character in this gripping tragedy worthy of Shakespeare. He manages to express an inner battle and coming of age story from a character in his twenties. He is so shy and humble and through facials and body movement succesfully shows the numerous emotions facing someone returning into society that missed many years of his growing up due to being institutionalised. Seeing atonement, wonder, discovery, guilt, confusion, terror and acceptance all on a face in the space of ten minutes is sensational to say the least.
The topic of this story is a confusing one, in his past life Jack murdered a young girl when he was incredibly young. Now he is legally redeemed but his past life will never escape him. The film is art house in its styling and explanations - nearly everything is left to interpretation in the last ten minutes. You never even know if Jack killed the young girl, it is assumed but you never see it. Also, as to what happens to Jack and his girlfriend this is also never clearly explained but I like it that way. I will be hunting down the novel, described as the most discussable book of 2008 in the UK, to see if it sheds more light onto the outcome but I know my thoughts on the ending, but will not share them here as they will end up being spoilers.
The biggest success of this film is getting us to support Jack during his tough times of rehabilitation into the world but leaving us questioning ourselves as to whether we made the correct choice. This is achieved by following our character during current time by splicing in scenes of the past, as well as dreams, visions and hopes of past and present. It is also achieved by not spelling out every letter of the ending and by allowing us to ponder as to what happened. It's thought provoking and at times disturbing but succesful in achieving it's goals. So succesful the film cleaned up the BAFTAS winning awards for Best Actor, Director, Editor and Cinematography and it deserved every one of them. I am so shocked this was not nominated for an Oscar and thoroughly pissed off it went straight to DVD in Australia while so much crap gets released. Spread the word people - this film deserves to be viewed.
The cinematogrpahy of Rob Hardy is exceptional and this film has one of the best scenes showing the ecstacy of the hit of an ecstacy pill I have ever seen on film. He is flying and having an internal time of his life and I could nearly go so far as to say - it looks real. Was that method Garfield?
All the supporting actors are flawless and to be honest there is nothing in this film that annoyed me, OK - the asshole son but that's about it and he's meant to be an asshole to show the conflicts that Terry has, a man who has lost his family over career but spends his life dedicated to helping people rehabilitate into society, a man that really cares and would take Jack as a son.
I can't rave enough about this film and it is out on DVD NOW - do yourself a favour and watch it - it's not all laughs, smiles and love but it is a film that demands a viewing and respect and thanks to big film studios deciding what films get screened to the public not many people will get to see this one but if you do I do not think you will be disappointed. Worth $16-
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Comment by Catherine Stebbins
Cinema Enthusiast
Thoughts from a Cinephile
Thoughts from a TV Watcher
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Garfield is definately on the rise and I am sure we will see much more of him over the coming years.
Thanks for your comment
Comment by Max Horn
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
But that skank isn't in it - are u sure you can watch it?
Comment by IandMe
Thanks, it'll go on my to be seen later list.
Janice
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
I like your sense of humor too
When you see it I think you will enjoy it.
Thanks for dropping in and have a great day!