The Boys Next Door

This Hallmark Hall Of Fame film lives up to its usual mark of excellence for the T.V. audiences. Based on a play by Tom Griffin ( which I have not yet seen), it describes the sometimes comedic, sometimes tragic lives of four men in a transitional home for those who cannot eke out a "normal" living due to psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities. Norman (Nathan Lane) is moderately mentally challenged, but has the demeanor of a 10 year old. Lucien (Courtney B. Vance) is severely developmentally disabled, and although he's perhaps in his late twenties, has a mind of a 4 year old. Arnold (Michael Jeter) is both mentally challenged and bipolar, which makes him an interesting, if not unstable character. Barry (Robert Sean Leonard) is a young man in his early to mid twenties, but has trouble dealing with reality due to his schizophrenia. At the helm of this fascinating ship of misfits is Jack (Tony Goldwyn) the social worker and the key to helping these men live as independently as possible. The relationships between these four men with special needs and the social worker with HIS special needs (a neglected marriage) are intertwined with various effect...sometimes hilarious, sometimes painful, but always moving. Although it is always difficult for the movie industry to portray any subject dealing with mental illness/developmental disability, this film does an above average job. However, I can't help but feel that too much material was squashed into the script, that the movie didn't "flesh out" the characters enough. Nathan Lane,though a comic genius and gifted actor, appeared to be a little too caricatured in his role. Courtney B. Vance was far and away the most realistic in his portrayal of the perennial child. Michael Jeter was funny, but he didn't have the essential qualities that a manic person would display on a consistent basis. Robert Sean Leonard is an astute actor, but failed to convince me that he suffered with schizophrenia. Tony Goldwyn was effective as the social worker who is co-dependent with his four charges, but never quite crystallized his sense of marital destruction towards his wife. Despite these shortcomings, "The Boys Next Door" rates as a top-notch film. If nothing else, this off-beat story will compel me to read or watch Griffin's play.

I enjoyed this film from many aspects. The acting is first rate, and it is clearly well-researched and presented in a realistic, non-sentimental fashion. Having grown up around the mentally ill and the mentally challenged, I can decipher caricature from character rather quickly. I was absolutely blown away by Courtney B. Vance's depiction of Lucien. Mr. Vance is completely absorbed in this role. His carriage, walk, talk, mannerisms, everything is perfect. I have known people like Lucien. When Tony Goldwyn's character, Jack, imagines a "normal" Lucien, we can see the absolutely perfect acting job of Courtney B. Vance.

The other actors are very good, but Courtney B. Vance is the stand out. Nathan Lane as Norman reminds me very much of mentally challenged people I have known who are forever introducing themselves. Robert Sean Leonard plays a schizophrenic convincingly. And Tony Goldwyn is emotional and not too sentimental as Jack, the hard-working, good-hearted, but all too human caretaker. It is a very good film.

I didn't see the play, I have watched the movie purely for the sake of Robert Sean Leonard - but it was definitely worth it.

I'm a disabled person, I've met a lot of disabled people in my life, and quite frankly, this movie is a very realistic portrayal of how it looks.

The actors have done a magnificent job at portraying disability, the behaviours of the characters aren't something unfamiliar for me to see.

While I already knew that RSL will definitely portray his role well, I think he's a good actor, he did even better than I initially expected. His body language and expressions are just on spot, the way he shows nervousness and anxiety as his character is realistic and simply relatable, it looks genuine.

With other main actors, I was definitely pleasantly surprised. They did a perfect job at their roles and I have no critique for that. I don't recall them that much, so I don't have anything more to say though.

I'm glad that the movie also included actors who are in fact disabled, I have seen a ridiculous amount of movies that talk about disability, but oddly enough reject the disabled actors.

All in all - worth the watch, it's silly and fun, but also handles the more difficult topics with care and detail. Love it.

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.

When neighbors and friends asked my parents what I wanted for my birthday, my Mother simply informed them "If it's a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, she'll love it!" I only received one HHoF movie, and that was "The Boys Next Door." I had never heard of or seen this film anywhere before. After I got home I immediately popped in in my DVD player and I haven't gone a day without seeing it since!

Robert Sean Leonard, Michael Jeter, Courtney B. Vance, and Nathan Lane are the "The Boys Next Door." 4 mentally challenged men who, together, make you laugh, cry, scratch your head,scream....you feel every emotion with these guys around. Lucian P. Singer, aka Courtney B. Vance, and Norman Bulanski, aka Nathan Lane, are developmentally challenged. Norman has an obsession with Donuts and keys. Look out! He also has a big crush on developmentally challenged Sheila, portrayed beautifully by Mare Winningham. Arnold Wiggins, aka Michael Jeter, is manic depressive and has recently purchased 9 boxes of Wheaties, 7 heads of lettuce and a bag of Charcol Biqquets, which come in and out of the story the whole length of the film. And then there's Barry. Barry Klempur is schizophrenic (however you spell it!) and has himself convinced he's a golf pro. He has had a rough relationship with him family and when he learns his father is coming to visit him for the first time in ages, it sends him into a tailspin. Tony Goldywn is Jack, their social worker and best friend. He is their solid rock, their lighthouse in the storm, their....you get the point. Without Jack, their world would fall to pieces.

And he knows it too. Jack is feeling guilty about leaving his wife out of his life, which is made up of these 4 guys, and is strongly considering taking a different job, car leasing. It all begins to go down hill when Jack springs the news on his boys. They don't think of themselves as his "job." Who wants to be thought of as a "JOB?" "You tell the good news, you announce the bad stuff," as Barry tells Lucian, moments before Jack's "big announcement." Shortly after Jack's telling them, Barry's father arrives, which, in turn, puts Barry on the 6th floor.

The remaining "Boys Next Door," throw Jack a big surprise party. Jack swings by the hospital and picks up a still shaken Barry and takes him to the house. Arnold has decorated the house with ANYTHING he could find, and bought animal puppets so you are "now 3 guests at a party instead of one!" Everything goes well until Jack tries to explain he's not going to be around anymore. Barry blurts it out "He's leaving you forever! He's leaving me and not coming back!" The guys start crying and Barry walks out. Arnold rounds the boys up and tells them that they're taking the train to Russia! Jack can't stand for this....I've said too much. You'll just have to watch to find out the rest.

I adore "The Boys Next Door." I recommend this movie to anyone and everyone! WATCH IT! 5 stars all the way!