'Master Harold' ... And the Boys (2010)

This movie is of Hally, an adolescent white South African. He is stuck between his intolerant father's outlook of him and those of his caretaker, Sam. Sam is a black waiter and Hally's ... See full summary »

Director:

Lonny Price

Writers:

Athol Fugard (based on his play), Nicky Rebello (screenplay)

Stars:

Ving Rhames, Freddie Highmore, Patrick Mofokeng

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ving Rhames	...	Sam
Freddie Highmore	...	Hally Ballard
Patrick Mofokeng	...	Willie
Jennifer Steyn	...	Betty Ballard
Michael Maxwell	...	Harold Ballard
Redd-Valentino Debray	...	Young Hally
Zoliswa Kawe	...	Myriam
Bongo Mbutuma	...	Elias
Nceba Mpiliswana	...	Owigi
Vuyisile Pandle	...	Winston
Wiseman Sithole	...	Bus Driver
Tiny Skefile	...	Passenger
Deon Lotz	...	Policeman
Sean Goatleysoan	...	Langervidt
Justin Stein	...	Bully

Storyline

This movie is of Hally, an adolescent white South African. He is stuck between his intolerant father's outlook of him and those of his caretaker, Sam. Sam is a black waiter and Hally's friend and teacher. Hally is required to laugh at his father's racist jokes, by contrast, Sam exposes Hally to uplifting experiences. One day Hally was terribly humiliated by his father and Sam shows Hally how to be proud of something he can achieve.

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Plot Keywords:

punctuation in title | ellipsis in title | character name in title

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief sexuality and some language

Details

Country:

South Africa

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 May 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

O Harold kai ta paidia

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Focus Films, Light and Dark Films, Spier Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original Broadway production of "'Master Harold'...and the Boys" by Athol Fugard opened at the Lyceum Theater in New York on May 4, 1982, ran for 344 performances and was nominated for the 1982 Tony Award for the Best Play.

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Connections

Version of 'Master Harold'... and the Boys (1985)

User Reviews

Ving Rhames and Freddie Highmore are Wonderful

My review may contain minor spoilers:

Yes, the casting decisions were right on! The wonderful Ving Rhames is Sam and Freddie Highmore is Hally (or "Master Harold") in what could have been a terrific movie. Unfortunately, the disjointed direction and script make this a somewhat confusing movie.

Hally is a sensitive young teenager who's bullied at school and abused at home by his alcoholic, racist father. They live in South Africa during Apartheid, so the viewpoints were pretty much normal. However, Hally has a friend in Sam. Sam is a Black worker in Hally's family restaurant. He's kind and patient. He has given Hally the only rare good childhood memories he's ever had.....like learning to fly a kite. There's a side plot that concerns Willie (Patrick Mofokeng), the other restaurant worker and friend of Sam. Willie is concerned with entering a Ballroom Dancing competition. Sam speaks to Willie about not beating his wife. So the movie deals with other forms of abuse.

When he learns that his father is going to be released from the hospital, Hally has a meltdown. He finally snaps and takes his anger out on Sam and Willie. What Hally does to Sam is ugly and demeaning. The last scenes between a dignified Sam and cold Hally are golden. The ending was predictable given the time and place.

I really wanted to love this movie. Both lead stars are terrific in carrying their roles. But the movie tends to meander too quickly in other directions and the filming is even messy. It could have been so much better!