The Conrad Boys (2006)

Charlie Conrad is ready for college, but the sudden death of his mother and his long-absent father leave him saddled with the adult responsibility of raising his 9-year-old brother.

Director:

Justin Lo

Writer:

Justin Lo

Stars:

Justin Lo, Booboo Stewart, Nick Bartzen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Justin Lo	...	Charlie Conrad
Booboo Stewart	...	Ben Conrad (as Boo Boo Stewart)
Nick Bartzen	...	Jordan Rivers
Barry Shay	...	Doug Conrad
Nancy Hancock	...	Tori Marshall
Katelyn Ann Clark	...	Louise Denver
Dorian Frankel	...	Evelyn Bridge
Lauren Xerxes	...	Suzie Conrad
Bruce Blauer	...	Vince Miller
Shane Arenal	...	Andy Calhoun
Bart Shattuck	...	Mark Poland
Connie Schiro	...	Principal Brower
Kari McDermott	...	Paula
Keegan Bell	...	PJ
Wesley Stiller	...	PJ's Boyfriend

Storyline

Justin Lo makes his feature film debut as Charlie Conrad, a 19-year-old history buff with the world on his shoulders. Following the death of his mother, Charlie sets aside his college plans to raise his highly imaginative 9-year-old brother Ben (Booboo Stewart). Isolated from his peers, Charlie accepts his responsibility yet secretly yearns for the freedom and romance associated with youth. Charlie suddenly gets his chance when he meets Jordan Rivers (Nick Bartzen), a charismatic drifter and fellow lost soul. The two of them hit it off immediately, and they soon embark on a tumultuous romance that gives Charlie a taste of the freedom he's been craving. Just as their relationship intensifies, however, Charlie's long-absent father, Doug (Barry Shay), returns to town with his own plans to take care of Ben. Caught in a struggle for Ben and eager to hold on to Jordan, Charlie must finally search his soul and make momentous decisions regarding the future of his family.

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Plot Keywords:

family character name in title | three word title | responsibility | college | garlic | 

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Taglines:

If you thought growing up was hard, meet Charlie Conrad...

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The scene where Charlie is waiting for Jordan in the car was filmed behind The Boom Boom Room and The Coast Inn, a legendary gay bar and hotel which had been in that location for decades, one of the oldest gay bars in California, closed in 2006, the year the film was released.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Ben Conrad: Charlie, you gotta come see this.
Charlie Conrad: Don't you knock?
Ben Conrad: Come look at my room.
Charlie Conrad: Ben, I gotta finish this before school.
Ben Conrad: I made a new wall for my fort and it's really strong.
Charlie Conrad: Impressive, considering it's probably made out of couch cushions.

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Soundtracks

From the Shadows
Written by John Bickerton
Published by Loud Neighbors Music (BMI)
Under license from UniqueTracks

User Reviews

Too Many Irons in the Fire

CONRAD BOYS is not a bad movie: the story though frequently used by others holds its own, the style of direction keeps the pace moving, the message of the movie is worth stating. The problem is one of a single person assuming the role of writer, director, film editor AND principal actor. Justin Lo does well in all categories except the last one. As pleasant as he is to look at his ability to create a believable character on film is seriously lacking.

Charlie (Lo) is a 19-year old taking care of his little brother Ben (Boo Boo Stewart) after the sudden death of their mother. Charlie is a history buff headed for Columbia for college until his mother's death halts that direction. He becomes a recluse despite his friend Tori (Nancy Hancock) attempts to get him out of his café job and into a social life. But at last Charlie reluctantly attends a party and eventually encounters a very handsome, intelligent drifter Jordan (Nick Bartzen) who touches Charlie's buried attraction and the two become friends and more. Jordan has demons, some of which become painfully apparent form his life of crime's encounters from the past. Another stumbling block for Charlie's adjustment appears in the form of his long departed recovering alcoholic father Doug (Barry Shay) who has cleaned up his act and wants to be a part of Ben's and Charlie's lives. The myriad clashes to Charlie's fragile ego serve only to bring out his protective forces in caring for Ben and eventually his nascent longing for Jordan and his responsibility for Ben are settled in surprising ways.

The cast Lo has selected is fine - especially the promising young Nick Bartzen and the solid Barry Shay. If only Lo had had the foresight to cast Charlie with an equally fine actor the film would have played more strongly. But as a first film by a young talent there is reason to view this venture. Justin Lo gives evidence of being a solid talent who just needs some focus.

Details

Official Sites:

former Official site - no longer active Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 April 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Os Irmãos Conrad

Filming Locations:

The Coast Inn, 1401 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,243, 4 June 2006

Gross USA:

$11,001

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,001

Company Credits

Production Co:

Newport Films

Technical Specs

Color:

Color