Boy (I) (2010)

Set on the east coast of New Zealand in the year 1984, Boy, an 11-year-old kid and devout Michael Jackson fan gets a chance to know his father, who has returned to find a bag of money he buried years ago.

Director:

Taika Waititi

Writer:

Taika Waititi

Stars:

James Rolleston, Te Aho Aho Eketone-Whitu, Taika Waititi

9 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Rolleston	...	Boy
Te Aho Aho Eketone-Whitu	...	Rocky
Taika Waititi	...	Alamein
Moerangi Tihore	...	Dynasty
Cherilee Martin	...	Kelly
RickyLee Waipuka-Russell	...	Chardonnay
Haze Reweti	...	Dallas
Maakariini Butler	...	Murray
Rajvinder Eria	...	Tane
Manihera Rangiuaia	...	Kingi
Darcy Ray Flavell-Hudson	...	Holden
Rachel House	...	Aunty Gracey
Waihoroi Shortland	...	Weirdo
Cohen Holloway	...	Chuppa
Pana Hema Taylor	...	Juju

Storyline

It's 1984, and Michael Jackson is king-even in Waihau Bay, New Zealand. Here we meet Boy, an 11-year-old who lives on a farm with his gran, a goat, and his younger brother, Rocky (who thinks he has magic powers). Shortly after Gran leaves for a week, Boy's father, Alamein, appears out of the blue. Having imagined a heroic version of his father during his absence, Boy comes face to face with the real version-an incompetent hoodlum who has returned to find a bag of money he buried years before. This is where the goat enters.

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Plot Keywords:

goat | new zealand | 11 year old | year 1984 | farm | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English Maori

Release Date:

25 March 2010 (New Zealand)

Filming Locations:

Waihau Bay, New Zealand

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$15,569 (USA) (23 March 2012)

Gross:

$255,179 (USA) (22 June 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Zealand Film Commission, Unison Films, Whenua Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Taika Waititi was less than a week away from filming when he realised the boy he had as lead wasn't working out. Three days before filming began, James Rolleston, who was hanging around on set as an extra, was given the lead by Taika Waititi.

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Goofs

When Boy is talking to his friend Dynasty in the car in one scene when their parents are at the pub, Dynasty says her Mum is playing the "pokies." Poker machines were not introduced into New Zealand until 1991, 7 years after the movie is set.

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Quotes

Boy: Hey Auntie, can I have an ice block please?
Aunty Gracey: No.
Boy: Aww... it's not fair!
Aunty Gracey: Get a job then!
Boy: Aww... There's none left; you've got them all!

User Reviews

Absolutely unmissable movie.

Hubby and I went to see this movie last Friday and unfortunately missed the first 10 minutes as we were given the tickets by friends. We sat in a movie theatre with at least 40 people- something quite rare.

The movie drew me in straight away to the rural 80s where young Boy and his brother were growing up and meeting their father for the first time.

As the movie explored their relationship it was bitter-sweet and very humorous. All the leads acted beautifully and the story, directing and settings were very well done. It was honest, funny, compassionate, heart-wrenching, powerful and life-affirming. I'm still thinking about it days later with a grin.

I take my hat off to Mr Waititi for writing, directing and acting in this movie- its a wonderful film. Can't wait to see your next one.

All the actors were fantastic but I must mention the young Maori leads who were brilliant.