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Taika Waititi, James Rolleston, Te Aho Eketone-Whitu, Moerangi Tihore, Cherilee Martin ... see more see more... , RickyLee Waipuka-Russell , Rajvinder Eria

The year is 1984, and on the rural East Coast of New Zealand "Thriller" is changing kids' lives. Inspired by the Oscar nominated Two Cars, One Night, Boy is the hilarious and heartfelt coming-of-age t... read more read more...ale about heroes, magic and Michael Jackson. Boy is a dreamer who loves Michael Jackson. He lives with his brother Rocky, a tribe of deserted cousins and his Nan. Boy's other hero, his father, Alamein, is the subject of Boy's fantasies, and he imagines him as a deep sea diver, war hero and a close relation of Michael Jackson (he can even dance like him). In reality he's "in the can for robbery". When Alamein returns home after 7 years away, Boy is forced to confront the man he thought he remembered, find his own potential and learn to get along without the hero he had been hoping for. -- (C) Official Site

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87% liked it

3,262 ratings

Critics

88% liked it

64 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 27 min.

Directed by: Taika Waititi

Release Date: March 2, 2012

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DVD Release Date: July 9, 2013

Stats: 255 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (255)

  • EightThirty
    February 28, 2012
    EightThirty
    11/06/2010 (CINEMAS)

    I'm not sure if audiences outside New-Zealand will relate to this but for those who grew up in New-Zealand like myself, well, we will get a kick out of this.

    Although it is humorous, there are elements that keep the movie in check and remind us that its not... read more always going to be funny, that sometimes we need to be serious about stuff.

    The film is based around the 80's, so check out New-Zealand and New-Zealanders before "Lord of the Rings" found us a spot on the map.
  • fb6025506
    February 28, 2012
    fb6025506
    Heartfelt, funny, and sweet, BOY is a great film about a child's transformation into a man; a film that takes the familiar story of when a boy finally realizes the unmet expectations of his flawed father who had been firmly idolized and placed upon a pedestal that is now collapse... read mored, and injects it with a narrative that is well-cast, well-acted, and steadily-paced. Never feeling too cheesy, Taika Waititi's film - Waititi both stars and directs - is genuine and natural, filled with subtle moments of humor that are ingeniously placed as well as a particular New Zealand accent that is simply fun to listen to.
  • panta2
    July 1, 2012
    panta2
    Taika Waititi will be 37 on 16 August 1975... he is a New Zealand-born film director, writer, painter, comedian and actor named who was named 5 years ago on Variety's "ten new directors to watch"! The guys who named him new what talent he has. His coming-of-age comedy-drama Boy h... read moreas done very well in New Zealand, reaching several records, and it's starting conquering the globe with its charm.

    The events in this adorable movie are happening in 1984, and Michael Jackson is a king - even in Waihau Bay, New Zealand. Boy is an 11-year-old who lives on a farm with his gran, a goat called Leaf, his younger brother who thinks he has super powers, Rocky and several cousins. Gran has to leave for a week to attend a funeral in Wellington and Boy is in charge of the household and caring for other children. Boy's father, Alamein, appears out of the blue (actually he was in jail), and having imagined a heroic version of his father during his absence, Boy comes face to face with the real version... and there is not much to desire there - just an immature hoodlum who has returned to find a bag of money he buried years before after a robbery.

    Waititi wanted to shoot the film where he grew up in Waihau Bay and he did it. James Rolleston was never actually intended to play the lead role of "Boy" - he originally turned up on set for a costume fitting as an extra and after short deliberation the teen was offered the role. And he did a perfect job! Actually all three main actors did the best acting possible. And when you have good screenplay, good acting and good directing combined with amazing scenery - there is a winner!
  • MOVEECRITIC
    February 28, 2012
    MOVEECRITIC
    Good script, talented actors, and plenty of laughs. Boy is entertaining and fresh. Great directing and acting from Taika Cohen. The characters are so charismatic, you can't help but be drawn in. Boy is this movie good.
  • Chapsky
    February 28, 2012
    Chapsky
    One of my favorite movies from New Zeland. First of all, I want to say kids performances steal the show. Especially James Rolleston (Boy) gives a great performance although this was his first acting experience. Story tells the destruction of a hero father figure of a 11 years old... read more boy has rich imagnation. The film has a unique sense of humor and clever irony. One of the best feel-good films of last year not to be missed.

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Critic Reviews

John Barber
July 13, 2012
John Barber, Globe and Mail

Even the inevitable flaws of the low-budget production are winning, showcasing as they do the narrative artistry that makes Boy so distinctive amid current factory-written studio productions. Full Review

Linda Barnard
July 12, 2012
Linda Barnard, Toronto Star

A simple story of coming of age and the bitter failings of hero worship that succeeds thanks to the impressive skills of its young star. Full Review

Tom Long
April 27, 2012
Tom Long, Detroit News

"Boy" finds hope, and love, in the oddest corners. Full Review

J. R. Jones
April 26, 2012
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

Waititi has reached into his past for a story that belongs to him alone. Full Review

Roger Ebert
April 26, 2012
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

A film like this would have little chance without the right casting, and James Rolleston is so right as Boy, it's difficult to imagine anyone else. Full Review

Steven Rea
April 5, 2012
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Boy is a charmer, a funny and affecting coming-of-age story rendered with heart, and with nuttiness. Full Review

Bill Goodykoontz
April 5, 2012
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

"Boy" is a delightful discovery, a charming little film about fathers, sons, New Zealand and Michael Jackson. Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan
March 30, 2012
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

It's serious stuff, but with a veneer of cheeky comedy. Full Review

Ty Burr
March 29, 2012
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

"Boy'' rollicks along with bright, sunny style and, for the most part, balances its sadness with invention. Full Review

John Hartl
March 22, 2012
John Hartl, Seattle Times

"Boy," from New Zealand, has its charms, most of them to do with Boy, an 11-year-old pop-culture enthusiast who's obsessed with Michael Jackson and moonwalking. Full Review

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