Heaven Help Us (Catholic Boys) poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Donald Sutherland, John Heard, Andrew McCarthy, Mary Stuart Masterson, Kevin Dillon ... see more see more... , Malcom Danare , Jennifer Dundas , Kate Reid , Wallace Shawn , Jay Patterson , Philip Bosco , Patrick Dempsey , Stephen Geoffreys , Dana Barron , John Bentley , Imogene Bliss , Donald Breitman , Al Cerullo , Calvert DeForest , Henry Fehren , Richard Hamilton , Vic Polizos , Douglas Seale , Yeardley Smith , Sherry Steiner , Jimmie Ray Weeks , Mel Winkler , Ed Zang , Christopher Durang , George Anders , Nolan Carley , William Eustace , Janice Fuller , Pamela Galvin , Jody Jensen , Mary Koch , Paul Marchand , Kachina Myers

Charles Purpura scribed this semi-autobiographical tale about his experiences in a Brooklyn Catholic school of 1965. The film focuses on several Catholic school boys who get into ever increasing amoun... read more read more...ts of trouble with the presiding priests of the Catholic school, St. Basil's. Andrew McCarthy plays Michael Dunn, a newly arrived student who latches onto the class egghead Caesar (Malcolm Danare), who is constantly picked on by the class bully Rooney (Kevin Dillon). Rooney intimidates Michael and Caesar to become his erstwhile chums and, along with a few other quiet students, they receive corporal punishment for minor infractions, disrupting communion and confession and, ultimately, their antics inspire changes in the strict school hierarchy. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Flixster Users

67% liked it

2,933 ratings

Critics

40% liked it

5 critics

R, 1 hr. 42 min.

Directed by: Michael Dinner

Release Date: February 8, 1985

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: August 30, 2005

Stats: 132 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

The Boys Dunns and Danni Dunns and Rooney Heaven Help Us (Catholic Boys)
Upload a Photo | View All Heaven Help Us (Catholic Boys) Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (132)

  • SirPant
    September 29, 2009
    SirPant
    A fantastic film, one of my all time favourites growing up! It?s hilarious, brilliantly acted and is dreadfully overlooked.
  • ileo
    November 4, 2007
    ileo
    An all-time favorite that I don't mind watching excessively. It leaves me laughing hard each and everytime.
    FAVORITE SCENE: Kevin Dillon's character along with four others making out in a car on a tow bridge. As things heats up, the bridge starts to open and leaving the four to ... read moreescape and watch the car fall apart.
  • MovieManiac415
    September 2, 2008
    MovieManiac415
    Great movie. I had no idea how harsh teachers could really be... I mean, come on! Is it even possible for a teacher to have done those things? That one teacher was like one of those people in old times that whipped prisoners and threw them into dungeons...



    Anyways, l... read moreoved this movie. It had 2 of my most favoritest actors ever: Mary Stuart MAsterson and Andrew McCarthy. =P
  • carolynmj19774
    September 7, 2007
    carolynmj19774
    This movie was SOOOOO good. Oh my gosh. I put it in because I couldn't sleep and boy was I entertained! Andrew McCarthy has always been good. Do you want to see him YOUNG??? Look here. Patrick Demsey is on here REALLY REALLY YOUNG...and the lady who does the voice of Lisa Simpson... read more!!! And I swear I saw a Wahlberg and Molly Shannon (I THINK)...you gotta look in the crowds....and Mary Stuart Masterson! SO YOUNG! I loved it. It was romantic. It has rebellion against the system of organized religion which I love! WOO HOO! LOVED John Heard in this. Donald Sutherland was so creepy. It was good!!! WATCH THIS AND LAUGH!!!! I am giving this to my dad - it will remind him of his days at Catholic School! LOL! OH MY GOSH! WATCH THIS!
  • mamamiasweetpeaches
    November 16, 2006
    mamamiasweetpeaches
    I love this movie! Its very funny. There are a lot of familiar faces here: Andrew McCarthy, Mary Staurt Masterson, Patrick Dempsey, Kevin Dillon, Stephen Geoffreys, Donald Sutherland. Slice of life teen story taking place in the 50s. Very cute movie...I dont know why it doesnt ha... read moreve a big following. Just as entertaining (If not MORE) than stuff like PORKYS.
    This movie probably deserves 3 1/2 or 4 stars...but I'm going to give it 5 because not a lot of people have seen it and I think they SHOULD!

View All Heaven Help Us (Catholic Boys) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Scott Weinberg
April 17, 2005
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Fitfully amusing, mostly juvenile.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
August 22, 2004
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

A partly funny and occasionally toucing coming-of-age flick Full Review

February 23, 2012
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Drew Voros
March 26, 2009
Drew Voros, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
October 8, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
August 11, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Derek Adams
February 9, 2006
Derek Adams, Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Porky's
    Porky's (100%)
  • Porky's II: The Next Day
    Porky's II: The Next Day (67%)
  • Private School
    Private School (100%)
  • Up the Academy
    Up the Academy (100%)

More Movies like Heaven Help Us (Catholic Boys)

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Heaven Help Us (C... : Watch Free on TV

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Heaven Help Us (Catholic Boys). Want to create one?

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Heaven Help Us (Catholic Boys) Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Heaven Help Us (Catholic Boys) to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?