Boston Kickout (1995) User Reviews

(not) as bad as you wanna be

[eae · 6/10 · 8 May 1999]

A Boston Kickout is the act of vandalizing the neighorhood yards, uprooting plants and trampling gardens. It's behavior that a group of middle-class wannabe bad lads in a culturally bleak new town outside of London continue more from habit than conviction as they confront life after high school. What begins as a fast paced albeit low budget buddy movie becomes a more intelligent coming of age story with the appearance of Emer McCourt as the Irish lass who wants to have fun. Seems the answer to the main character's problem was to get laid - which was my theory when I was his age.

A charming coming of age tale

[Angeneer · 7/10 · 27 April 2001]

While other similar films focus on the sociological aspects of working class life in Britain, this one recites a lighter story. The Phil-Shona interaction is probably the best part of the film. The toilet scene is a really memorable one, I felt like I'm a teenager again! Another good one is the club scene (and I don't mean the night club).

Disappointing

[Forever Damned · 5/10 · 28 June 2002]

I suppose it showed promise but failed to deliver. A disjointed story of life in an English 'new town'.

It couldn't decide whether it wanted to be Trainspotting or Grange Hill and it ended up being neither. Too many loose beginnings, middles and ends and you end up not caring about any of it.

The only redeeming feature was the lovely Shona who it would have been better to see more of.

More charm than Trainspotting

[RGP · 19 May 1999]

I enjoyed this film, which is restrained in comparison to the similar but overrated Trainspotting. Well acted, it's low budget protects it from smackhead chic. There is something wrong with the plot in the middle, and the themes are unremittingly grim, but it is funny and has considerable charm. The whole cinema enjoyed it, but there were only five of us.

Oh Dear

[RyanDMT · 1/10 · 4 April 1999]

I live 3 miles from where it was set in Stevenage. So you think I would like it just for that reason. Wrong, I did not like it one bit. It's like their football team. It's very Similar to Trainspotting but a much lower budget.

British Independent film making at it's best.

[siolae · 10/10 · 29 March 2002]

I loved this film. It's deeply touching and very funny. This is one of very few accurate portrayals of what life is like growing up in suburban Britain where underneath a seemingly bland surface lies boredom, violence, madness and the redemptive beauty and intensity of human relationships. Cracking pace, lots of energy, and deeply satisfying.

A great film

[harrison-pinner · 9/10 · 15 March 2014]

Boston Kickout puts across the difficult issues and worries of being a teen and coming of age in a small rural town. John Simm plays his character very well in one of the best of his first few movies. People from the town will enjoy the references to parts of the town. The feeling portrayed are a mix of joy and despair as Phil's life seems to be crumbling away before him with his friends leaving, getting married and having a break down, when he finally finds someone he feels he can confide in she also leaves him, leaving him with no way to turn. Overall brilliantly acted and a good proper British film. Would recommend to everyone.

A storm of a film about being too big for a small town!

[Anders-10 · 8/10 · 5 July 2000]

This has nothing whatsoever to do with Trainspotting. It's a drama about a group of friends who have reached a focal point in their education and wonder what is it they want from their life, friends and their town.

Trainspotting is an anti drugs related film. This film contains no drugs if memory serves me right. Habitants of similar sized and socially unactive towns should be able to relate to parts of the film.

The film isn't one of the greatest made, but it's got some great lines, great moments and some great cinematography

Interesting relationships

[aliseliz · 5 October 2001]

This movie wasn't too bad. It was an enjoyable way to pass an hour and a half late at night. I really enjoyed Marc Warren's character. I was a little disturbed by the cousin nookie, but I got over it. I didn't exactly understand why Ted was so important or why Steve was off his rocker, but I guess it just made the movie a little more interesting. I also thought that John Simm looked a bit like Andrew McCarthy, which made my viewing of the film a little confusing. I kept thinking of all those Brat Pack movies. Scary. Over all I liked the movie (I didn't find it to be anything like Trainspotting, and I don't really understand the comparisons. The only similarities I can see are the characters' aimlessness and the fact that the films were both made in the UK). It had some unique relationships between its characters and some memorable scenes. And I just love the bizarre yellow teddy bear.

a vicious and tense drama

[oliver4201 · 9/10 · 5 June 2000]

a rather mixed film this. The acting is great, (the scenes with Marc Warren stand out a lot) The script is in places a bit loose and the central romance is completely unbelieveable. However the soundtrack is great and visually its never stale. Over all this is worth watching just for Warren's skinhead singing along to The Damned. However the content is not for the squeamish and the whole section in Ireland is very forced, worth getting from the video shop.

Stevenage

[geneknowles · 10/10 · 20 May 2020]

Good film about unemployment & life in Stevenage, great cast as well A+A+

A pile of chud

[JuniorLovesEvigan · 6 August 2004]

A film about stevenage starring a load of not so bright young things from English terrestrial TV. The plot storyline and characters have no believability or consistency about them which culminates in dire tedium for the viewer. The film desperately tries to be different but once again just ends up like every other new fresh British movie: "feels like its being inventive" about everyday life while it misses the minutae of what make English life so fascinating. In summary the film is a steaming pile of chud and i would recommend everyone to avoid it unless you truly believe the film ID broke new boundaries for British cinema.