Best Boy (1979)

In this documentary, the director follows the day-to-day activities of his retarded, middle-aged cousin Philly, over a three-year period.

Director:

Ira Wohl

Writer:

Ira Wohl

Stars:

Philip Wohl, Zero Mostel, Christine O'Connor

Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Philip Wohl	...	Himself (as Philly Wohl)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Zero Mostel	...	Himself
Christine O'Connor	...	Herself
Frances Reiss	...	Herself - Philly's Sister
Ira Wohl	...	Himself
Max Wohl	...	Himself
Pearl Wohl	...	Herself

Storyline

Portrait of a family in transition: a mother, a father, and their son, their "best boy." Pearl and Max Wohl live in Queens with Philly, their cheerful, engaging, and mentally-disabled son. For 50 years Pearl and Max have provided a loving home for Philly, but they're aging, Max is ailing, and they must figure out what's to happen to Philly when they can no longer care for him. Are there options besides an institution? Philly's cousin is Ira Wohl, whose camera follows the family as Philly takes steps into the wider world.

---

Plot Keywords:

marriage | loss of father | family relationships | jewish | mother son relationship | 

---

Genres:

Documentary | Biography

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Hebrew

Release Date:

2 April 1981 (Australia)

Also Known As:

El mejor de los muchachos

Filming Locations:

Flushing Meadows Park, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Only Child Motion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Max Wohl: I'm hungry.
Pearl Wohl: So eat.
Max Wohl: I'm eating.

---

Connections

Features The (New) $25,000 Pyramid (1973)

---

Soundtracks

"If I Were a Rich Man"
Written by Jerry Bock
Performed by Zero Mostel

User Reviews

Let's cheer Philly on.

Heartfelt doco on a 52 year old retarded man, Philly, whose parents have kept him to themselves. This doco explores Philly's new life as he makes contact with the outside world and the relationship he has with his parents who both pass away during the making of this doco.