***** out of *****
The Premise:
The story of a young ex-con Jack, newly released from serving a prison sentence for a murder he committed as a child.
MY REVIEW
It's the little things in life that are sometimes the best things in life. Such is true with movies. It's the little movies that are sometimes the best. Boy A is easily one of the finest films of 2008, in this reviewers opinion. It is incredibly acted, beautifully shot, and has one heck of a story to tell!
It follows a young man played by Andrew Garfield (Lions for Lambs, The Other Boleyn Girl) who is given a new life and identity after being released from prison for the murder of a young girl when he was just a boy. He's mentored by his guidance counselor played by Peter Mullan (Children of Men, Session 9) who himself is dealing with his own son he's barely seen. The young man, who's name is now Jack, tries to fit into the new mold of life he's not yet been exposed to. He has a job at a warehouse, he befriends some co-workers and even finds love in one of the receptionists. His new life is going extremely well until a single act of kindness changes everything. His old life as a murderer is exposed and he starts struggling with this.
This is a wonderful story of a redemption. Can a boy who brutally murdered a girl, change? Can he be forgiven for the crime he committed? Can he lead a normal life? All these questions are answered by the end of the film, but I will not spoil it. You know in a lot films about a character seeking redemption and a fresh start at life, you kind of know how it will end. You know if it will end with sadness and tears or happiness and joy. In this film, you just never know until the end. Because it's so authentic to human nature, I feel like the screenwriter and director nailed it. You feel so bad for this young man, and you can see the regret and anguish in his eyes and actions and he really just wants to be loved. But at the same time, he did kill a girl, brutally so with one of his friends. He's labled a monster, and really that's what he was. But can even a monster be forgiven? Can a monster be given a second chance. Certainly the family of the little girl probably will never forgive him, but this is more about can he forgive himself. Again, you know this answer by the end as well. I just thought it was a fantastic and sometimes dark and sad story. Really good.
The performances were brilliant. I'd like to point out Andrew Garfield for a moment. He plays the lead character, and for all intensive purposes this is his true introductory performance. He was absolutley phenomenal. He got all the emotions perfectly, and he had to go through a range of them. This young actor delivers probably one of the best and most realistic performances of this year. He really made you feel for this character, which doesn't happen a lot in movies these days. Peter Mullan was also fantastic. I've pretty much never seen this guy really act before, but now that I have, I think he's great. He has some very touching scenes with the character of his son, as well as the lead boy. He plays a guy who's spent more time with troubled kids than his own son, and now his son is troubled and depressed. So Mullan has to go through a range of emotions himself, and he did a very good job!
This really is just a brilliant film in every which way! You know if you are a fan of film, and appreciate the little known movies and those indi flicks, then I highly suggest this one to you. Boy A is a near perfect, almost flawless piece of dramatic work and is definitley one of the very best films of this year.
*This is the 154th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.
*This film is now on DVD.
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