The Boys Next Door

Believe it or not, I am forced to give a very low review of this movie. Even though my user name is derived from it. (At least from this script.) In 1999 I had the honor of playing Norman Bulanski in a stage presentation of "Boys Next Door" and the stage play is considerably better than this movie. While the movie seems to focus on Jack and Barry, the play gave equal time to all the boys. Each was given a particular hurdle he had to overcome. Norman Bulanski, an overweight, and simple guy who loved doughnuts, his keys and his girlfriend, had his date with sweet, simple minded (and no "skinny Minnie") Sheila. Barry Klemper, a brilliant schizophrenic who wound up in the same group home with severely developmentally disabled men through a hiccup in the system, had to endure a visit from his insensitive and cruel father. Lucien P. whatever the movie called him, (It was Smith in the play) had to go before the "State Sneck" (Senate) who had deemed him mentally competent and was threatening to completely cut his funding... even though he still had trouble reciting the first five letters of the alphabet. And Arnold... had to deal with everything. The play showed a growing frustration in Jack as he neared the end of this career, that I think showed somewhat in this movie, but I felt Norman and Lucien's scenes were underdeveloped and neglected. The movie added a scene where Arnold takes his groceries back and these scenes are hilarious and masterly done by Jeters. I do wish the play had them. Also I felt Lucien was quite well done. I don't think Nathan Lane was given the opportunity to fully develop Norman. I think he could have done much better if he had had more time to understand Norman's mind. On the whole, I suppose, it was very well done... if you aren't expecting the depth of the play. It is good entertainment and you wind up caring about these characters... but if you can... see the play too.

As the sister of two special needs guys and a nurse of 25 years I highly recommend this movie! The actors do a phenomenal job of portraying high functioning people with varying special needs. The social worker character, Jack, shows the true love, care, and hope that loved ones and caregivers have for our special needs individuals while also demonstrating the reality of life. This movie is a wonderful glimpse into the world of those with high functioning special needs. <3

In bringing Tom Griffin's touching play to the screen, director John Erman and his remarkable cast have brought warmth and respect to The Boys Next Door. It is clear that the team wanted to be faithful not only to Griffin's text, but also to the disabled community. Viewers can easily see that the artists are taking the job of crafting the comedy very seriously.

The performers in this talented ensemble bring great dignity to these characters. Courtney Vance is especially touching as Lucien, and challenges the audience's perceptions of the challenged in a moment of theatrical magic.

This movie is worth seeing by anyone who is looking for something more than simple laughs. While the movie is very funny, it also makes an important comment about the inherent worth of all people, regardless of their outward appearance of ability or disability.

I have heard about THE BOYS NEXT DOOR for some years because of the subject and also because a friend of mine that loves TV shows saw it for an actor that guest starred on CHUCK with Zachary Levi. Last February I finally saw it and I ended up liking it much more than I expected.

Jack Palmer (Tony Goldwyn) is a social worker that cares for four young disabled men: Norman (Nathan Lane) who is obsessed with rodents, Lucien (Courtney B. Vance) who is obsessed with crackerjacks and Spiderman, Arnold (Michael Jeter) who loves to buy things in supermarkets and shops but not pay, and Barry Klemper who is scorned by his father (Richard Jenkins) because he can't play golf, and makes them live in a house. During most of the movie he has to deal with their obsessions and the troubles they cause, but never makes them notice their mistakes. All this goes smoothly until the end when Jack has to go to Germany for a job offer.

The plot might look simple but the story is so well acted by all the cast members involved and the situations so entertaining that it makes this TV movie worth seeing just for that. And since it's available on Youtube, try it if you stumble upon it.

Firstly i have to admit that i have not seen the stage play of the movie and unless Robert Sean Leonard is going to be in it, i am unlikely to :OD

i happened across this movie one afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed it. so much so that Tony Goldwyn's character inspired me to write a short story (i am a writer).

I understand that while many of you have witnessed first hand the performances in the play whether as an audience or the cast, i feel its unfair to criticise the movie. i didnt feel that Robert Sean Leonard was hogging the movie (in fact like him or not, i'd have been happier seeing a whole lot more of him - the man being very easy on the eyes and a magnificent actor). Norman and his housemates were all very good too.

i enjoyed the movie so much that the next time it came on i taped it and n ow i've put in an order to purchase it.

By the way, my fave parts have to be (other than RSl and TG's performances), the 'catch it, kill it and flush it' scene, norman's head having to be 'moved' by Jack when norman sees the neighbours keys, and Jacks response to Barry's father when he asks, 'what are you? like a 'keeper'?' and he replies, 'no, i'm like a 'friend'.

superbly acted.....10/10

evelyn