The Butcher Boy (1997)

The antisocial son of an alcoholic father and a bipolar mother grows up in 1960s Ireland.

Director:

Neil Jordan

Writers:

Pat McCabe (novel) (as Patrick McCabe), Neil Jordan (screenplay)

Stars:

Stephen Rea, Fiona Shaw, Eamonn Owens

10 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eamonn Owens	...	Francie Brady
Sean McGinley	...	Sergeant
Peter Gowen	...	Leddy
Alan Boyle	...	Joe Purcell
Andrew Fullerton	...	Phillip Nugent
Fiona Shaw	...	Mrs. Nugent
Aisling O'Sullivan	...	Ma Brady
Stephen Rea	...	Da Brady
John Kavanagh	...	Dr. Boyd
Rosaleen Linehan	...	Mrs. Canning
Anita Reeves	...	Mrs. Coyle
Gina Moxley	...	Mary
Niall Buggy	...	Father Dom
Ian Hart	...	Uncle Alo
Anne O'Neill	...	Mrs. McGlone

Storyline

Francie and Joe live the usual playful, fantasy filled childhoods of normal boys. However, with a violent, alcoholic father and a manic depressive, suicidal mother the pressure on Francie to grow up are immense. Unfortunately, one tragedy after another, Francie's world sinks deeper and deeper into paranoia (directed mainly against Mrs. Nugent, a nasty neighbor) and fantasy (where he has visions of the Virgin Mary).

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Plot Keywords:

paranoia | vision | alcoholic | childhood | satire | 

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Taglines:

This little piggy laughed all the way home!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and violence

Details

Country:

USA Ireland

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 February 1998 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

A kis véreskezű

Filming Locations:

Monaghan, County Monaghan, Ireland

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$135,606, 5 April 1998, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,822,193, 7 June 1998

Company Credits

Production Co:

Geffen Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital (5.1 surround) SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Eamonn O'Shea reportedly went into his audition and asked if the actor who had gone before him was better - and if he was, then there was no point in reading his prepared monologue.

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Quotes

Narrator: [voice over, Frankie sees a statue of Our Lady in a grotto] Oh fuck, oh Mother of Jesus.
Adult Francie Brady: Hello, stranger.
Our Lady: How are you, Francie?
Adult Francie Brady: Haven't seen you for a power of years.
Our Lady: It's not that I haven't been thinking of you, Francie.
Adult Francie Brady: What are you doing, missus, still talking to the likes of me?
Our Lady: God loves every one of us, Francie. But you know something, Francie? He has a very special place in his heart for you.
Adult Francie Brady: Oh no, missus, you'll have to stop this appearing and disappearing crack or they'll put me back ...

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Connections

Features The Lone Ranger (1949)

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Soundtracks

The Old Bog Road
Written by Teresa Brayton (as Brayton) / Madeleine O'Farelly (as O'Farelly)

User Reviews

Very Dark Stuff

THE BUTCHER BOY comically chronicles a young boy's descent into madness. The boy provides a voice-over from the present to tell the story of his youth in an Irish village in the early 60s. His father's a violent drunk, and his mother is already insane, so it's not difficult to explain why the kid is losing his mind. It's just that he really doesn't know he's going crazy. He believes he's leading a perfectly normal life as we watch in horror as his actions grow more violent and frightening. And it's a comedy!

Neil Jordan is a craftsman and creates a very enjoyable movie even given the very dark subject matter. The child actor's are great, the best I've seen this side of PONETTE. If the subject and its treatment don't put you off you will like this movie. If not, try something else.