Boy
Synopsis
Our last film for the year is a Kiwi movie we tried to get when it came out in 2010 but it was not available here; after last year's cult hit 'Hunt for the Wilderpeople', "Taika Waititi has hit the big league directing Marvel's 'Thor: Ragnarok', and his second film, 2010's Maori coming-of-age comedy 'Boy', is finally released in the UK. It's a disarmingly lovely, big-hearted film, and hilarious in places" - Cath Clarke, Guardian.
"The heartwarming and occasionally heartbreaking tale of a boy, his brother, his nan, his friends, the girl he likes, his criminal dad, his dad's mates, Michael Jackson, 'E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial' and a lot of money buried in a field ('I know exactly where it is. I buried it a certain number of steps from a post. I just can't remember how many steps. Or which post.') is guaranteed to brighten up [our winter] days and have audiences laughing out loud even when the subject matter is really quite bleak" - Jennie Kermode, Eye for Film.
So we are in classic poor Maori country. Set in 1984, life is hard but the Maori children don't seem to realize it. Boy will soon begin to learn the truth about his absent father when he returns (played by Taika Waititi himself, he is the comedy lead in the film). There is little adult guidance in Boy's life, and his imagination is allowed to take over, and that is the key to the success of the film; the deadpan humour, in spite of the tough life, should make you feel the joy of living. As Jennie Kermode says, "if you want to be reminded how much fun it is to let your imagination loose, this is a film you shouldn't miss". We hope it makes you feel good all through the summer. See you in September.
"The heartwarming and occasionally heartbreaking tale of a boy, his brother, his nan, his friends, the girl he likes, his criminal dad, his dad's mates, Michael Jackson, 'E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial' and a lot of money buried in a field ('I know exactly where it is. I buried it a certain number of steps from a post. I just can't remember how many steps. Or which post.') is guaranteed to brighten up [our winter] days and have audiences laughing out loud even when the subject matter is really quite bleak" - Jennie Kermode, Eye for Film.
So we are in classic poor Maori country. Set in 1984, life is hard but the Maori children don't seem to realize it. Boy will soon begin to learn the truth about his absent father when he returns (played by Taika Waititi himself, he is the comedy lead in the film). There is little adult guidance in Boy's life, and his imagination is allowed to take over, and that is the key to the success of the film; the deadpan humour, in spite of the tough life, should make you feel the joy of living. As Jennie Kermode says, "if you want to be reminded how much fun it is to let your imagination loose, this is a film you shouldn't miss". We hope it makes you feel good all through the summer. See you in September.
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