The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys (2002)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Peter Care

Writers (WGA):

Chris Fuhrman (book)
Jeff Stockwell (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

17 May 2002 (Germany)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

One of the most inventive, funny coming-of-age films in years!

Plot:

A group of Catholic school friends, after being caught drawing an obscene comic book, plan a heist that will outdo their previous prank and make them local legends.

Plot Keywords:

Comic Book | Prank | Catholic School | Drawing | Secret

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Emile Hirsch	...	Francis Doyle
Kieran Culkin	...	Tim Sullivan
Vincent D'Onofrio	...	Father Casey
Jena Malone	...	Margie Flynn
Jake Richardson	...	Wade Scalisi
Tyler Long	...	Joey Anderson
Jodie Foster	...	Sister Assumpta
Arthur Bridgers	...	Donny Flynn (as Arthur Bridges)
Scott Simpson	...	Newsie
Melissa Suzanne McBride	...	Mrs. Doyle (as Melissa McBride)
Michael Harding	...	Mr. Doyle (as Mike Harding)
Chandler McIntyre	...	Naturalist
Jeffrey West	...	Professor Sullivan
Yvonne Erickson	...	Mrs. Sullivan
Nicky Olson	...	Colin Gibbney

MPAA:

Rated R for language, sexual content and youth substance use.

Runtime:

104 min | Argentina:105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Australia:M | Sweden:11 (Stockholm Film Festival) | Canada:14A | France:U | Germany:12 | UK:15 | USA:R | Norway:15 | Argentina:13 | Spain:13 | Singapore:PG (cut) | Brazil:16 | Canada:A (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Company:

Egg Pictures

Trivia:

Chris Fuhrman died of cancer before completing the final draft of the book. The movie is dedicated to him at the beginning of the final credits.

Goofs:

Continuity: Sister Assumpta's Irish accent disappears.

Quotes:

Francis Doyle: That's all?
Newsie: Man, that's enough to melt an elephant.
Tim: Excuse my friend. He thinks he wants to melt two elephants.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 2003 IFP Independent Spirit Awards (2003) (TV)

Soundtrack:

On The Road Again

Growing Up Catholic

I came across this indie gem one day at my local Blockbuster. I looked at it and it seemed like it would be an o.k. way to kill two hours. There was really nothing else in the videostore, so I decided to rent it. Boy, am I glad I did. I really appreciated the movie and related to it, after all I do go to a Catholic High School. 'The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys' is actually a great coming-of-age tale set in the Catholic school setting of the 1970s. Just by reading the title I thought it was about pedophile Catholic priests or something, but it's really about two friends who are the altar boys at their church/school and their adventures as they discover what's life is all about... or their interpretation of it.

The two boys in 'The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys' are Francis Doyle (Emile Hirsch - The Girl Next Door, The Emperor's Club) and Michael Sullivan (Kieran Culkin - Igby Goes Down, Home Alone). They are two fifteen year old rebels that have a passion for comics and writing and illustrating their own. They despise their tough-as-nails and strict one-legged Catholic nun school teacher, Sister Assumpta (played by Two Time Academy Award Winner Jodie Foster - The Accused, The Silence of the Lambs). The two boys make themselves their own creative superheroes in their comic and have Sister Assumpta be the evil motorcycle peddling nun from hell that the two superheroes battle, along with the boys' other two friends who provide superheroes for their comic too. The film switches from real-life to the creative comic book setting during conflicts in the story, and I think that it's done very stylish and neat. The two boys rebel against their teacher and misbehave in front of her constantly, especially Michael (Culkin) who drives her absolutely nuts. The boys rebel by doing other things that the nun doesn't know about like, drink, smoke pot and steal and damage church property. The film contains some funny moments, and as the story unfolds Francis (Hirsch) becomes interested in the girl who lives next door to him Margie (Jena Malone - Saved!, Cold Mountain), a cool, nice, beautiful and independent girl with a deep and dark secret that challenges Francis. I won't give it away though.

There are many great aspects to this film. Most notably is the acting. Emile Hirsch is nothing short of incredible as the genuine misfit Francis and Jena Malone is equally as good as the sweet yet complex Margie. Jodie Foster is hysterical and always a pleasure to watch as the uptight Catholic school nun and 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent's' Vincent D'Onofrio has a somewhat small role as an interesting Catholic school priest who smokes like a chimney. The stand-out of the film however is Kieran Culkin. He is definitely the most talented performer in his family, and he gives an astounding performance as Michael Sullivan that puts him on the top of the list of the best child actors working in Hollywood currently. Culkin gave an equally amazing performance in Burr Steer's neurotic and darkly hilarious film debut 'Igby Goes Down' which was released the same year as 'The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys'. Peter Care does a fabulous job with this, his feature film debut, and the valley's Todd MacFarlane (creator of Spawn) provides the comic book illustration for the animated scenes.

All in all this is a great coming-of-age movie, with a lot of heart and intelligence. It has some flaws like dragging a little towards the beginning, being a little unclear towards the end and having some freaky and unnecessary ghost sequence towards the middle of the film. I'd recommend this to anyone who attends Catholic High School because it is a great movie but it's also something you could relate to. Next time you are at the videostore and can't find anything to watch, maybe pick up 'The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys'. Chances are you won't regret it. Grade: B+

MADE MY TOP 300 LIST AT #245