Buddy Boy (1999)

An introvert relieves the tedium of caring for his invalid mother by spying on his neighbor.

Director:

Mark Hanlon

Writer:

Mark Hanlon

Stars:

Aidan Gillen, Emmanuelle Seigner, Susan Tyrrell

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Aidan Gillen	...	Francis
Emmanuelle Seigner	...	Gloria
Susan Tyrrell	...	Sal
Mark Boone Junior	...	Vic
Harry Groener	...	Father Gillespie
Hector Elias	...	Mr. Salcedo
Jon Huertas	...	Omar
Richard Assad	...	Haroonian
Kellie Waymire	...	Ireland
Tim DeKay	...	Ken
Darryl Henriques	...	Doctor
Michael Halsey	...	Brian
Pamela Gordon	...	Marilyn
Tom McCleister	...	Mr. Jones
Irene Roseen	...	Navajo Clad Woman

Storyline

The story of a pious introvert whose religious conviction begins to crumble under the weight of a cruel and strange existence, Buddy Boy is a study of faith, obsession, alienation and madness. The film's title character, Francis, lives with his invalid, abusive mother in a dingy tenement apartment, and has suffered a life of unrelenting misfortune and brutality. Over time, he has withdrawn from the world and into himself, silently observing others rather than interacting with them. His only solace has been his Catholicism, but he has begun to question his faith in a loving God who could countenance so much evil and pain. When he discovers he can see into the apartment of a beautiful, mysterious woman from his own back stairs, Francis cannot stop watching her, even after he meets her and they become romantically involved. Unable or unwilling to believe that she could actually love him, he becomes ever more obsessive in his voyeurism. And it is what Francis sees - or thinks he sees - ...

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Plot Keywords:

voyeur | voyeurism | girl in panties | panties | catholic | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality, violence, language and some drug use

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 March 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Недоносок

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,651, 26 March 2000, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$10,281, 2 April 2000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Independent Pictures (II), Woods Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Received a standing ovation after its premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

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Connections

References Blue Velvet (1986)

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Soundtracks

The Block
Written by Marcus Shelby
Performed by Marcus Shelby and Jazzantiqua Music Ensemble
Courtesy of Noir Records

User Reviews

A dark, compelling drama for those who can make the buy-in

For those who can make the necessary suspension of disbelief and contend with the depressingly dark ugliness of this drama, "Buddy Boy" will prove to be a captivating and disturbing look at the troubled life of a homely, introverted, socially inept, stammering young man who dutifully tends to a disabled, alcoholic, and abusive mother while window peeping at a beautiful neighbor. Somewhere between quirky and surreal, "Buddy Boy" is a compelling character study which waxes doggedly toward a somewhat anticlimactic conclusion. Not for everyone, this flick is most likely to be appreciated by those who are into quirky dramas for quirkinesses sake.