Boy
Went with Auckland Girl to the movies last night to celebrate her 25th birthday, and saw Boy. I’d heard from several people it was very good but hadn’t planned to go out of my way to see it.
I was very glad I did see it as it was a quite delightful and entertaining film.
Most of all though, it was so powerfully New Zealand. Not just the Maori dimension, but everything from the tools in the garage, to the remote dairy, to the cars, to the landscapes, to the cannabis plantations.
Michael Jackson and Billy T James as cultural icons added humour to the film, and make sure you don’t leave the moment the credits start.
James Rolleston showed real talent as “Boy” and I also liked Taika Waititi’s depiction of his father. Not a hero, but not a total villain. In many ways a loser, but also moments of him being a great dad, when he played storm the barricades with Boy.
Waititi also wrote and directed the film. He is definitely a growing talent and I’d go see another of his films.
April 17th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
HMMM, know a bit about cannabis plantations do you.
Better give Phil a call.
April 17th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Totally agree. My wife and I saw it on Thursday night; she has taken my mother to see it today.
April 17th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
It was ok, but was quite underwhelmed. It was a bit of a bunch of cliche’s really and should have told more of the children;s story rather than focussing on the father.
April 17th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
We reckon that Boy is now THE iconic Kiwi movie of all time. Stunning scenery, great humour with surprisingly superb acting that sells a down to earth, believable story. In a subtle way the film touches upon serious social dysfunction, without being in-your-face like Once Were Warriors.
April 17th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
More iconic that Goodbye Pork Pie or Came A Hot Friday?
[DPF: On a par with Goodbye Pork Pie I would say]
April 17th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Sooo mid-80s timewarp – Billy T, Jacko, Goodnight Kiwi, Poi-ei, “…..not crayfish again”.
April 17th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
I hoped to see ‘Boy’ with my son last night but was informed it was sold out, which surprised me because the last time I went to my local movies there were only three of us in the cinema. I’ve only heard good comments about it.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Any kissing in the ……. Er ……………..CinemaHouse?
April 18th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
We loved it!
Growing up in small town Taranaki it was so familiar. We can’t stop dancing like Boy (Michael jackson)
April 18th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
best line:..
the response to ”i’m your uncle..eh..?..”
(don’t spoil it for those who ain’t yet seen it..!.eh..?.)
phil(whoar.co.nz)
April 18th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
“[DPF: On a par with Goodbye Pork Pie I would say]”
High praise indeed. Best have a look then.
April 19th, 2010 at 6:43 am
I am the envy of all my kiwi expat mates here because the last day of my most recent short trip to New Zealand was the day “Boy” debuted and I went to see it. It was a fantastic movie and, as David says, so utterly and totally Kiwi. I have heaps of Maori mates who grew up around the culture depicted and they love the brutally honest portrayal of what goes on sadly in too many families.
The performance of James Rolleston was stunning – made even more so by the revelation that he rocked up to audition only as an extra and got the supporting lead role! Boy will definitely join that small group of truly iconic kiwi movies like Goodbye Pork Pie, Utu, Once Were Warriors etc
April 19th, 2010 at 7:19 am
There is an excellent interview given by Taika Waititi and James Rolleston at the Sundance Festival that gives good insight into the movie http://vimeo.com/9369790
June 23rd, 2010 at 4:10 pm
I’ll be pirating it myself.