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HOME arrow October 2007 arrow SPOTLIGHT REVIEW: Boy A
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Film review by Jackie C.

Boy A, based on the novel by Jonathan Trigell, is the latest film from director John Crowley and writer Mark O’Rowe, who previously collaborated on the 2003 film Intermission.

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As the film opens, we see Jack (beautifully played by Andrew Garfield) meeting with his social worker, Terry (Peter Mullan). In this first exchange, Terry gives Jack a pair of Nike shoes and from Jack’s reaction we discover that this is a young man who has not been given much in his life. We quickly learn that Jack, now in his mid-20s, has just been released from prison, having been there since he was 12. Jack (not his real name) has been moved to a new town and given a new identity for his own protection. The newspapers have headlines warning the public about the imminent release of the infamous Boy A, whom they refer to as 'an evil killer'.

Director Crowley moves seamlessly between the past and the present . We first see Boy A as a 12-year-old, ignored by his parents and bullied by his peers. One day when Boy A is confronted by three older boys he is rescued by another child, Boy B, who is aggressive and fearless. This meeting is the start of a brief friendship between the shy Boy A and street-smart Boy B that will have many tragic consequences. The two boys live below society’s radar: they don’t go to school and their absence is not missed by teachers or parents. During one of these absences, the two boys meet a schoolgirl (Skye Bennett) and, after a brief verbal exchange, Boy B lashes out at her. The audience is already aware that the girl dies, and Crowley does not give any details of the girl’s death nor does he minimize Boy A’s participation in the killing. A child has been murdered and it is not important which of the boys struck the fatal blow: they are equally guilty.

Meanwhile, the adult Jack is adjusting to his freedom. He starts his first job as a driver for a shipping company. He makes friends with his fellow driver, Chris (Shaun Evans), and begins a relationship with the company secretary, Michelle (Katie Lyons). Soon Jack finds himself falling in love with Michelle and becomes deeply conflicted when he cannot tell her the truth about his identity. Meanwhile the newspapers continue to run stories about Boy A and there is a large reward for details of his whereabouts.

As a result of a slip of the tongue by Terry, Jack’s identity is revealed to the press and he wakes up one morning to find that he has lost everyone he cares about and the paparazzi are at his door. Confused and frightened, Jack opts to run but he knows that there is really only one way out for him.

The performances in the film are first-rate across the board. The success of the film rests on the performance of the lead character and Andrew Garfield is absolutely believable in his transformation from the shy Jack who leaves prison to the Jack who has a job and a girlfriend and who just wants to take his place in society. Katie Lyons is charismatic and sexy as the outgoing Michelle, the butt of office jokes. Peter Mullan, one of Scotland's most under-rated actors, gives a solid performance as the social worker who has devoted his life to Boy A to the detriment of his relationship to his own son.

Boy A is a compelling and emotional film that looks at society’s capacity for forgiveness and vengeance, while inviting questions about our social and justice systems.
Comments (2)Add Comment
...
written by cyd, November 08, 2007
This sounds like a remarkable film - and so different from Intermission. I look forward to seeing it if it ever comes to my town.

Thanks for a very interesting review.
Andrew Garfield rocks!
written by Jed, November 11, 2007
yup! He's being touted as the next biggie from the UK! I'm a big fan of many of them actors- including Ben Whishaw, Eddie Redmayne, Tom Sturridge and now this guy, Andrew Garfield! I look forward to more films from this guy!

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