There were 208 in attendance at John Crowley's poignant, thought-provoking and significant film Boy A. The superb script is based on Jonathan Trigell's novel, and focuses on the post-incarceration period of Jack (Boy A), portrayed amazingly by Andrew Garfield (Lion for Lambs), after his 14 years in prison for a horrible crime he participated in at the age of 10. Shot grittily, in Manchester, in just five weeks and editted in six, this powerful film features pitch-perfect performances from the whole cast with exceptional lead performances from Garfield, acclaimed actor/director Peter Mullan (Magdalene Sisters) as his social worker and a lovely supporting performance from Katie Lyons as Jack's girlfriend Michelle. Raising issues of who is deserving of forgiveness, whether one can ever be truly accepted as rehabilitated, and the effects of the media's and society's labelling on an individual it is truly one of the finest films to deal with crime and punishment.
Here is an interview with the director John Crowley.
www.indiewire.com/people/2008/07/indiewire_inter_172.html
and one with Andrew Garfield.
www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=46862
Let us know your thoughts on the film.
Julian D.
I felt tha 'Boy A' was extremely well crafted ad acted.. From my studies, it was also a very accurate depiction of the potentially disastrous effects/behaviours of brutalizing and traumatizing children eg) the repeated rape of the young boy by his brother, as well as the effects of rejecting, ignoring and demeaning children eg)the main star's treatment by both of his parents plus his teacher which lead to him teaming up with the more violent child.
ReplyDeletein addition, the damage done by bullying was clearly illustrated, not just the older boys violence against the younger boys, but also the young girl who got herself killed for her efforts.
So, through the well directed use of flashbacks, a tension or forboding was establised that afforded a powerful illustration of how violence begets more violence and how innocent youngsters can get caught up in horrific, life altering actions.
Converselly, the positive effects of careing, nurtuing and support were well portrayed via the support for 'Jack' by his social worker after his release from prison.
This was another excellent film fest offering that spotlighted the wide range of human emotions, from deep hatred and judgement to sincere love and gratitude paired with divergent human behaviours from the brutal taking of a life to the heroic saving of one by the same character.
Very sad but well done film; acting was brilliant; torn between the horror of the violence of his act, and the acts of "violence"against him. Interesting portrayal of how his personality was developing from first getting out of prison when he is very insecure and child-like, to becoming more confident as he does his job and develops friendships and a love interest. How sad that an act of heroism, and the interference and persistency of the media, as well as the betrayal of an also insecure peer, all leads to the dissolution of his new life and possible future.
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