The Boys

You don't often see acting like this in movies. It puts the academy awards into perspective. So said Roger Ebert in his review in Once Were Warriors. And the same applies here. David Wenham is simply jaw droppingly good in his portrayal of an unhinged, resentful and cold hearted man who sets out on a mission, intentional or not, to drive away anyone even remotely close to him. He has nothing but calculated cruelty in his words and his actions, only wanting to drop everyone to a lower level than him and give him power. Power that masks his deep insecurity and self loathing. It is simply the best acting performance I have seen in an Australian movie. Every supporting character is equally as engaging, especially John Polson as his clueless brother. Funny how a small movie mainly set in one house and based on a stage play stays with you far longer than a big budget Hollywood pic. Sometimes all you need is interesting characters and a strong script to make its mark. You will be glued to the screen from start to finish.

This movie is not entertainment and should be approached with caution. That said, it is a powerful insight into how a certain strata of society lives. You see the boredom and hopelessness and the effect it has on the individual and the family.

The strength of the movie lies in the control and stillness of the main character. This is not a man you want to meet, let alone upset.

While you watch this surprisingly short film, again, you are reminded, it's not quality, not quantity, and The Boys is a jarringly intense masterpiece of scenes, that seem handpicked, as they are all potent, with some truly claustrophobic moments. One reason, evidently stands out: David Wenham, as one of three ex cons, good for nothing brothers, who's just got out of the nick. The telling of this story moves back and forth, so don't try and think, just enjoy this blessed experience of high calibre acting, Lynette Curran up there with Wenham, as the much suffering mother, while Toni Collette relishes in a role in what you would call her most sexiest, as Wenham's loud mouthed girlfriend. This is basically a domestic drama, but the film's magic, is in how the story's utilized, so tight knit, a no holed drama, which is at times, is so confrontingly real, especially in Wenham's performance. The fantastic Another Hayes plays the weak, unhinged, patsy sort of brother, kind of reminding you a bit of him, in Suburban Mayhem, where he also played a, good for nothing loser. John Polson, seems the most together brother, you so want him to get his life on track, and leave with his girlfriend, sugar mummy, of higher class, but, his brothers mean too much to him. The film with it's dark music scores, and fade outs, that work perfectly for this film, mirrors real life, with an all too realness, in a chilling, engrossing watch, that sadly runs shorter than you want it too, it's last scene, memorably scarring. One Oz movie experience, which again does us proud, joining that section of fine Oz films.

Rowan Wood's film The Boys is a cracking little drama from Australia, driven by some excellent performances and notable for an early appearance from David Wenham & Toni Collette on screen together before they hit it big over in the states.

This film is intense, taken as a slow burning drama it works incredibly well as a portrait of a working class Australian family tearing itself apart over the course of a single day. It culminates in an ending that leaves the viewer cold, featuring intertwined cut-scenes strewn throughout the film which show later consequences only serving to intensify the lack of resolution and bleakness present as the credits start to roll.

As a director Rowan Woods adds some nice touches though the main focus of the film is on developing the characters present. The opening sequences feature an almost surrealistic focus on an everyday Australian household setting and the objects within it, something quite unknown to me in the realms of film which sets a spooky tone to the minimalist soundtrack composed by The Necks. Grainy shots of the city at night between sequences further this, capturing perfectly the maudlin vibes I know so well.

The Boys is a very well made film, one of the most accomplished dramas to have come out of Australia. Being born on these shores personally and having known people who live like this it becomes all the more relevant. It is bleak but despite this there is an uneasy humor throughout, the plight of the ultimately pathetic characters striking an ambiguity where you don't know whether to laugh or feel disturbed.

This is life... is it not?

What a Movie...this movie was impacting, and left a sour taste in my mouth. Brett Sprague was an extremely nasty piece of works. David Wenham brought the character of Brett to life so brilliantly. I was in fear of this character, and what was the most frightening aspect was that this character felt real... not a "Freddy Kruger" type of unbelievable scary character, but a TRUE nightmare... there are people like Brett out there in the world, and that was what was so frightening for me. This movie had a tremendous sense of fear and danger throughout. Every performance was outstanding, especially those of David Wenham, Toni Collette and Lynette Curran. The women in the film sensed the imminent danger, but the brothers were just hopelessly and dangerously in awe of their brother, Brett. This is Australian film making at its best, and I would like to commend our film industry with taking risks, and encouraging our artists to continue to make wonderfully original and creative films. Congratulations to all concerned.