Big Boys Don't Cry

This is a film, based on the real life story of Paul Connolly, that powerfully depicts how adults in authority abused young children throughout their childhood in a local children's home.

The production team did an amazing job in taking us back to the late 1970's and highlighting the horrors that Paul, his best friend Liam and the other kids in their dorm went through.

The cast and crew have delivered a chilling version of Paul's story and its unbelievable how this abuse continues behind closed doors in 2022.

I had the honour of going to the film premier in Chelmsford, Essex where Paul and the executive producer Richard Hart held a meet and greet Q & A afterwards.

We were given an insight into the demons that Paul carries with every single day. He explains that love from his wife and children have helped him deal with them on a daily basis but that they never disappear.

The message is made loud and clear and good luck to the children charities trying to help 100's of kids going through the same abuse on a daily basis.

Gritty drama based on a true story of child abuse in a childrens home in the 70s and 80s. Jacko as a damaged man shows how his childhood has affected him as an adult but how things can turn around.

Acting was superb. At times upsetting to watch and heart breaking scenes .

The filming was brilliant. Unfortunately more and more cases of historic child abuse are being reported .

Paul Connolly aka Jacko is a brave man telling his story and helping others as a result. Am so glad his outcome was different than many others and he had had the chance to lead a life worthy of him . He deserves a huge hug.

This was one of the most difficult and hard hitting films that I've ever watched. The cast was fantastic but WOW, Michael Socha as adult Paul was absolutely bloody amazing. This is an 18 rated movie and I really think that this should be brought down as as uncomfortable as this film was to watch I believe that youngsters of today, even those in the system should see this and know what others have been through and should not be written off in life because of the choices they make in later life due to such horrific abuse. I'm so glad I watched to the end and saw the "real life Paul" and his story in the credits. I hope he feels that this has told his story as brutally honest as it was and that he finally, if possible, gets some form of closure. I wish him nothing but love and happiness. X.

This is not the kind of movie you'd watch for family entertainment but it is the kind of movie that everyone needs to see. It's the harrowing story of Paul Connelly and the abuse he and others suffered at the hands of evil men in the 1970's.

The lead actor, Michael Socha, gives the performance of his career so far and the young lads that play Paul and Liam as kids are also impressive. In fact all the cast come out of this with credit.

The movie also shows us parts of Pauls life that he's probably not proud of but the overriding factor of the film is to show how such atrocities can mess with a victims mind.

Well done to all concerened with this, especially Paul who must have had a few dark nights recounting his experiences whilst working on this.

This true story tells a difficult subject that is painful yet compelling to watch. From the opening scene it is difficult to take your eyes of this film that holds nothing back depicting the savage way institutions back in the day we're allowed to abuse there positions on looking after young children. It is not an easy watch but then a true story of such savage consequences never are. The film shows however the strength of a young boy who against all odds survives and able to bring this to life on the big screen. Fantastic performances by the leading actors with a great support cast including a young Paul.