Boy A (2007)

The story of a young ex-con Jack, newly released from serving a prison sentence for a murder he committed as a child.

Director:

John Crowley

Writers:

Jonathan Trigell (novel), Mark O'Rowe (screenplay)

Stars:

Andrew Garfield, Peter Mullan, Siobhan Finneran

10 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Andrew Garfield	...	Jack Burridge
Peter Mullan	...	Terry
Siobhan Finneran	...	Kelly
Alfie Owen	...	Eric Wilson
Victoria Brazier	...	Teacher
Skye Bennett	...	Angela
Madeleine Rakic-Platt	...	Schoolgirl
Josef Altin	...	Bully
Dudley Brewis	...	2nd Bully
Leigh Symonds	...	Eric's Dad
Maria Gough	...	Eric's Mum
Taylor Doherty	...	Philip Craig
Jeremy Swift	...	Dave
Shaun Evans	...	Chris
Carlene Hanson	...	Waitress

Storyline

A young man is released from prison after many years and given a new identity in a new town. Aided by a supervisor who becomes like a father to him he finds a job and friends and hesitantly starts a relationship with a compassionate girl. But the secret of the heinous crime he committed as a boy weighs down on him, and he learns that it is not so easy to escape your past.

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Plot Keywords:

prison | identity | murder | new identity | girl | 

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Taglines:

Who Decides Who Gets A Second Chance?

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, sexuality, some disturbing content and brief drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 September 2008 (Singapore)

Also Known As:

A Rapaz

Filming Locations:

Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$13,024 (USA) (25 July 2008)

Gross:

$106,368 (USA) (22 August 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cuba Pictures, Film Four

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In a retrospective scene young Eric and his friend Philip are walking around impersonating Spider-Man shooting web and swinging along the street. Andrew Garfield, the actor playing old Eric/ Jack, is Peter Parker/Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man.

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Quotes

Michelle: [about Jack's local hero news in the paper] Hey hero! Look what I've got!
Jack Burridge: [embarrassed] Horrible, horrible.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Episode dated 26 July 2008 (2008)

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Soundtracks

"Floor Basics"
Performed by Mint Royale

User Reviews

A master class in the art of film-making

Few films wowed audiences at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival as much as John Crowley's "Boy A." Scipted by Mark O'Rowe from a Jonathan Trigell novel, "Boy A" is a story-driven mystery which is carried on the shoulders of newcomer Andrew Garfield, in a tour de force performance that dominates the film from opening title to closing credits.

Jack Burridge is leaving prison after a 14-year sentence for a crime he committed as a child. His mentor Terry has been working to gain his release and help him transition into the new world in which he'll live and work under a new identity. It's up to Jack to determine who he wants to be, but it's up to those around him to determine whether or not he will be allowed to do so. It's that challenge which is at the heart of "Boy A." Andrew Garfield ("Doctor Who," "Lions for Lambs") is frighteningly brilliant as Jack. It's his movie to make or break, and this role is sure to be singled out as the launching pad for what is destined to be a notable career. The viewer sees a sweet, sensitive, puppy dog of a young man while his secret past indicates something completely different. We wrestle with that concept as he does himself, and it's an emotional, moving piece of work. As his counselor Terry, Peter Mullan ("Trainspotting," "Children of Men") is the father figure who provides a foundation for Terry's wandering existence. His attempts to keep Jack alive and well are both heartening and heartbreaking.

"Boy A" is visually stunning. The interplay of light and shadow through the use of diffusion filters and silhouette gave me chills. The dramatic manipulation of white light is a seemingly simple device but cuts to the bone. Cinematographer Rob Hardy demonstrates true artistry with camera-work that is often a character in itself. A recurring visual theme using tunnels, alleyways, hallways, and bridges stands out even to the untrained eye. Paddy Cunneen's score makes it clear that this is, at its heart, a tale of intrigue.

Told in flashback, the secrets of "Boy A" are revealed in bits and pieces. The reality of who Jack is becomes more powerful and painful as the film progresses. Garfield is so charismatic, and his Jack so incredibly sympathetic, that this film easily rises to the top of those screened at this year's festival. John Crowley's "Boy A" is a master class in the art of film-making.