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A Reel Life film section

Issue: August, 2010

Boy (2010) movie review

Growing Up is Hard to Do

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In 1984 rural New Zealand, young Boy is left to watch over his brother and cousins when their grandmother goes visiting. The strange idyll is disturbed when his father returns, newly released from jail, with two foolish and corrupt friends in tow.

Suddenly, in place of the romanticised stories Boy tells of his father, he has an actual person to show to his friends, and to hang with. He is delighted at first with this cool dad in a biker jacket and cool hoon car.

Boy interprets his life and his father's behaviours through his fascination with the persona and performances of Michael Jackson.

Movie poster, Boy, Festivale film review; 220x274

Movie poster, Boy
Welcome to my interesting world.

Writer/director Taika Waititi, whose own Oscar-nominated short film Two Cars, One Night

inspired Boy, also appears as Alamein, the father who heads up a mighty gang that has just three members.

Funny, insightful and very real, Boy shows us the fantasy lives of the father and his two sons, Boy, and Rocky, who has imaginary magical powers.

An enjoyable peek into the lives and hopes of others.

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by Ali Kayn
Australian release 2010
For credits and official site details, see below
Search Festivale for more work by the film-makers below.

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Just the facts:

Title: Boy (2010)
Written by: Taika Waititi
Directed by: Taika Waititi
Running time: 87 mins
Rating: M

The Players: Taika Waititi, Te Aho Aho Eketone-Whitu, James Rolleston

Official website:
IMDb entry

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