Jet Boy (2001)

A drug dealer finds an unlikely traveling companion in a runaway kid trying to dodge social services.

Director:

Dave Schultz

Writer:

Dave Schultz

Stars:

Branden Nadon, Joe Norman Shaw, Matthew Currie Holmes

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Branden Nadon	...	Nathan
Joe Norman Shaw	...	Nathan's First Pick-up (as Joe-Norman Shaw)
Matthew Currie Holmes	...	Jordan
Randy Birch	...	Tattoo Artist
David LeReaney	...	Gym Teacher
Shawn Anderson	...	Fighting Classmate
Valerie Planche	...	Mrs. Ross
Krista Rae	...	Girl in Bed
Carrie Schiffler	...	Nathan's Mom
Dylan Walsh	...	Boon Palmer
Lynn Ivall	...	Detective Schuyler
Stephen Strachan	...	Ferris
Blair Wood	...	Punk
Tania Sablatash	...	Waitress
Nancy MacDonald	...	Boon's Aunt

Storyline

A drug dealer finds an unlikely traveling companion in a runaway kid trying to dodge social services.

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Plot Keywords:

teenage boy | man boy relationship | teenage prostitution | gay | teenager | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Boon arrives at the diner, he parks his car near it (right under the 'Restaurant'sign at the back of the shot), however the shot after the phone call reveals the car parked much nearer to the camera and in a different orientation.

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Soundtracks

Borderline
Written and Performed by Allen Christie

User Reviews

Nearly a good film

It felt like the director was having trouble stitching together an over complicated turn of events. The flaws in the plot are evident from the beginning yet had they been simplified I feel it would have worked so much better.

A neglected / abused adolescent meets and cons his way into getting a lift off a mysterious stranger he suspects is a drug dealer. The stranger is coerced into giving the boy a lift. There then follows an unlikely turn of events re-uniting the stranger with an old flame and the boy - passing himself off as the stranger's son - befriends the woman's son.

Never having had a father figure the boy jealously guards his new 'mentor' and resorts to unconventional means to try and win him over as the movie becomes more plausible but still somewhat 'messy'. As with the opening scenes the fate of the protagonist is heart rending.

All that being said the director handles some very tricky issues very delicately although I would have preferred otherwise. These are real issues and there should be the 'shock factor', it would never have been a family film so maybe the delicacy with which issues were addressed detracts from, or dilutes the impact they have in real life.

Brendan Nadon was a little unconvincing in my opinion but playing the part of a 13 year old when 15 did give him a little more maturity which is true to life for those poor kids that have to grow up fast. The adult actors held it all together with some strong performances.

I still gave the movie 7 out of 10 because despite the obvious flaws the director handled the unenviable task of avoiding censorship when dealing with child abuse and prostitution.. The film was very engaging and well worth watching.

Details

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 June 2010 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Jet Boy

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Motor Inn - 802 16th Ave NE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD1,400,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Smash It Up Productions, Interstate 80 Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Color:

Color