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Kieran Culkin, Jena Malone, Emile Hirsch, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jodie Foster ... see more see more... , Jake Richardson , Tyler Long , Kelvin O'Bryant

The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys brings Chris Fuhrman's well-received, posthumously published teen novel to the screen. Set in the 1970s, the film concerns two rebellious Catholic schoolboys -- bashf... read more read more...ul, pensive Francis (Emile Hirsch) and whip-smart, impulsive Tim (Kieran Culkin) -- who spend their free time pulling elaborate pranks and creating a comic book featuring themselves and their friends, Wade (Jake Richardson) and Joey (Tyler Long), as superheroes. Their alter egos are brought to life in animated sequences by Spawn creator Todd McFarlane. Their grim, strict, one-legged teacher, Sister Assumpta (Jodie Foster), is drawn as a motorcycle-riding supervillain. Vincent D'Onofrio plays the more easygoing Father Casey. Egged on by Tim, Francis admits that he has a crush on Margie Flynn (Jena Malone). Tim encourages Francis to pursue Margie, at one point even sending her a mash note and signing his friend's name. Francis and Margie eventually begin seeing each other. But when Margie reveals a terrible, painful secret to Francis, it sets off a chain of events that leads to tragedy. The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys marks the feature debut of director Peter Care. It was screened at several festivals, including the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. The film sparked a small controversy at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival, where it was rejected, allegedly in retaliation for producer Foster's decision to forego heading up the fest's jury in order to replace Nicole Kidman in Panic Room. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

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76% liked it

15,777 ratings

Critics

77% liked it

109 critics

R, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Peter Care

Release Date: June 14, 2002

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DVD Release Date: November 5, 2002

Stats: 819 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (819)

  • cosmo313
    September 25, 2011
    cosmo313
    Based on the title, you might think this has something to do with the church sex abuse scandals that were all over the media around the time this film came out. In actuality, it's based on a book (which I haven't read) about two best friends and altar boys in the 1970s who resort... read more to making their own lurid comic book, pulling dnagerous and risky pranks, and casually experimenting with drugs and alcohol to deal with boredom. There's more to it of course, such as the boys dealing with various facets of growing up and learning life lessons.

    What sets the film apart are some bombastic and very colorful animated sequences which parallel the main action and help to flesh out some stuff (mostly inner thoughts and feelings) that is probably elaborated far more in the book (which is probably better anyway. I did like this though, because it is entertaining, and it's got some great music Marco Beltrami and Josh Homme, as well as some credible actors giving some credible performances.

    Despite the terrific work from Culkin, Hirsch, Malone, D'Onofrio, and Foster, and the great animation work from Todd McFarlane, this film feels very uneven and it tries to blend a lot of stuff together, including some rather really dark revelations about a certain character. I didn't think it gelled all that well, especially since some of the shifts in tone can be quite jarring. I didn't think it was enough to totally sink the movie, though. I just think it could have been handled better, namely with some stronger writing.The movie could have done a tad better job of establishing the time and place, but that's really just a bitchy nitpick.

    All in all, this movie is flawed, but it has good intentions, and the animated stuff is really cool. Plus, seeing D'Onofrio and Foster as a priest and a nun respectively was an odd joy for me, and I thought those were some surprising (in a good way) touches. You should maybe give this a watch. It could be better, but it's decent enough for a rainy day watch.
  • SirPant
    November 18, 2010
    SirPant
    I hate the phrase 'Coming of age' but until I can think of a better one it will have to do. Of course growing up was never this cool for me and I was an Alter Boy, it was far more awkward. That said, what it does capture, quite brilliantly, is the conflict with hypocrisy that adu... read morelt life can bring - using animation, bad romance and an angry Nun to symbolise adolescent angst in its many forms and guises. A very pleasant discovery - in the bargain bin no less. A great film, let down by poor marketing.
  • LWOODS04
    June 25, 2010
    LWOODS04
    CAST: Emile Hirsch, Kieran Culkin, Jena Malone, Jodie Foster, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jake Richardson, Tyler Long, Kelvin O'Bryant

    DIRECTED BY: Peter Care

    SUMMARY: When a gang of eighth-grade Catholic school students (including Kieran Culkin and Emile Hirsch) gets caught drawing... read more an obscene comic book, they seek revenge for their punishment -- and a reputation as school legends -- by planning a prank on a mean, one-legged nun (Jodie Foster).

    MY THOUGHTS: "This film had everything in it from hypocrisy, incest, animation, death, and religion. I guess a bit of everything. The film had the feel of the movie 'Stand By Me' when it comes to the four boys relationships. Just really good acting from all the young cast. It makes the movie that much more enjoyable when the acting is good and believable. The story itself is honest and funny. It's also sad. The way Kieran's character is mostly acting out just to get his parents to notice him. Jena Malone's character is seriously disturbed and needs a good therapist. I really felt bad for her, and yet kinda grossed out by what she did to her brother. The ending was unexpected and totally made me cry. The poem he read is what broke me, lol. If you were a rebel in school then you will relate or like this movie. Its definitely worth the watch. Great story and really good acting, especially by Hirsch and Culkin."
  • ythelastman89
    January 7, 2010
    ythelastman89
    A movie about tweens that can't be seen by tweens, completely useless. I liked the cast and their were some good early performances from Kieren Culkin and Emile Hirsch, but it was just way too childish a movie. Instead of being original, it was just really corny and pointless.
  • middleeasternfilms
    May 13, 2008
    middleeasternfilms
    Refreshing film about best friends who dream of living out their lives like the comic books they're obsessed with. Great acting from all involved, especially D'Onofrio, who plays the coolest priest in history.
  • Camus123
    July 17, 2007
    Camus123
    This movie utilizes many vehicles to convey its messages. Children, the church, animation, death, incest, hypocrisy...All of this is tied into a coming of age story focusing primarily on two boys and one girl. It shows the struggles that we go through in those formative stages in... read more order to simply be and the pressures and moral quandaries that we all deal with personified in a young person's world. The characters are aspiring comic book artists and many times the movie breaks into extended animated scenes. While these can be fun to watch (or distracting to some as it was for my wife) they are an integral part of the film. Each animated vignette carefully describes the current mindset of each character within and allows the viewer to see the mind at work played out through an animated avatar. This movie does have some comedic moments that will make you laugh out loud. Equally there are more moments that will make you reflect and perhaps even become a bit saddened at times. It is a sleeper gem. Enjoy
  • superclerk25
    February 27, 2007
    superclerk25
    This is a pretty good flick.
  • drago25
    February 10, 2007
    drago25
    This is a cute movie that, while it never reaches the realm of excellence, is a very enjoyable ride - for the most part. Its a story about a group of Catholic boys and their struggle with the oppressive authority figure(s) hanging over their heads. One of the main things I drew f... read morerom it though was how extreme their actions were, when it wasn't called for - what happens to Kieran Culkin's character is a prime example of this. As such this serves as a theater for the folly of youth, and it definitely works in that way. There are some very interesting ideas at work here - for example the parallel narrative of the comic-book heroes drawn by the main character (in cartoon form alongside and reflecting the main narrative). That part of it really separated this from any other movie, though I'm not sure how much it added in the long run. There were some neat camera tricks used, as well. The one thing that was abundantly clear after watching this movie was that it is made for a specific age group or generation - even at age 20 I found it hard to relate to the teenage characters. However, its still a good movie with some good acting (Vincent D'Onofrio represent! even though he's underused), and I recommend watching it.
  • binky013
    March 23, 2006
    binky013
    If you were an altar boy, you can't miss this one. We were a band of holy delinquents. And even if you weren't an altar boy, this is well worth seeing. Anime fans may like this movie too.
  • Tss807
    November 8, 2009
    Tss807
    An excellent movie, especially with a young cast and first time director! The mixture of animation and real life was really cool. Definatly a great movie!

View All The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys Reviews

Critic Reviews

Joe Baltake
June 28, 2002
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Works as pretty contagious fun. Full Review

Bill Muller
June 28, 2002
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic

Although McFarlane's sequences are inventive, the rest of the film moves languidly.

Richard Roeper
June 25, 2002
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

I thought the young actors were strong, but the material is too thin and too cliched, even with Todd McFarlane's animated sequences to stretch the story to feature length. Full Review

Rex Reed
June 25, 2002
Rex Reed, New York Observer

It's not serious enough to be profound, and not ribald enough to be giddy. Full Review

James Berardinelli
June 24, 2002
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

While there are times when the film's reach exceeds its grasp, the production works more often than it doesn't. Full Review

Desson Thomson
June 21, 2002
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Steers refreshingly clear of the usual cliches.

Ann Hornaday
June 21, 2002
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

Sharp, lively, funny and ultimately sobering film.

Peter Howell
June 21, 2002
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

A charming reminder of the combustible mix of puberty and authority in the lives of 14-year-olds. Full Review

Carla Meyer
June 21, 2002
Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle

Foster and newcomer Hirsch are the best things in Dangerous Lives, a touching but odd mix of live action and animation. Full Review

Steven Rea
June 21, 2002
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

A fine, inventive '70s period piece about friendship, first love, and growing up to face the hard lessons of life.

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  • In which film does Jodie Foster play a nun?  Answer »
  • small roles in Home Alone, this actor's career has been nothing like his brother's. his most recent films include The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys and Igby Goes Down.  Answer »
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