Virando Adulto

"The Bay Boy" was clearly a labor of love for writer/director Daniel Petrie. In all his long, successful directorial career ("A Raisin in the Sun", "Fort Apache the Bronx", "Resurrection"), this is his sole writing credit. The film takes place exactly where Petrie himself grew up - Glace Bay, Nova Scotia - on the island of Cape Breton. But, for all the personal identity and local talent involved, it's not nearly as good of a film as some others made on the island like "Margaret's Museum" and "New Waterford Girl". The thing that holds back the story here is Petrie's filmmaking approach. The soundtrack constantly intrudes with out-of-place music, and the acting is too often directed toward an older style approach. It's well-made, yes, just not nearly as convincing as it might have been.

For such a totally obscure film, there are a couple of recognizable faces. Liv Ullmann and Kiefer Sutherland (in his second role) are the core of the story here, an exploration of the complexities of the mother/son relationship. Another Nova Scotian actor, Peter Donat, has a less noticeable role as the father. In the end, "The Bay Boy" would have been much better served by a more realist, quiet approach. Daniel Petrie seems intent on filming his story as if it were a 1930s movie, which tends to keep everything at a distance. There's a lot of feeling put into it, a lot of talent. But it just doesn't come out quite right. I got something from it, just not nearly enough.

Lovely, lovely small-scale film with excellent performances by a talented cast. Liv Ullman, Kiefer Sutherland, Alan Scarfe and everyone else certainly did not make this for the money. Among other delights, it has one of the most authentic losing-of-virginity scenes in any film. And the voice-over of its conclusion imparts the entire story with the resonance of personal myth.

That this film is such an oddity, was so poorly distributed, and is so ignored right now is an indictment of the entire industry and the kind of films it makes -- and doesn't make. To know how to do this and still not do it -- shame on them.

This is a thoroughly well-made Canadian movie, with an unusually high number of memorable scenes, thanks to a well-written script and solid acting from all involved. And although a coming-of-age drama with many emotional scenes, there are well-placed lighthearted moments that help to keep the movie from getting too "heavy". All-in-all, it's a real success, and is yet another example of a lesser known movie that outshines most of the box office blockbusters.

This film is superb in every way.... story, writing, direction, casting.... everything! But, alas, it was seen but once.... one time only on Showtime... and then desappeared forever from the tv scene. Something about it's Canadian genesis, some say, but if ever there was a movie that would be a real blockbuster, The Bay Boy is that film. Incredibly, I happened to see the film in it's one and only showing on cable television, back in 1984 or 85. Now, it is available only on VHS but I wait in hope that it will surface again on DVD.

I repeat, this movie is a really great film....... four stars or better!!!

I remember when I was little & they were filming the Bay Boy in Glace Bay & it was very cool to have a movie shoot on the street where our church was. At the time though I was all - Keifer Who? The movie really is fantastic and funny and thrilling but at the time the thrill was that it was shot in our home town. They even had the premiere at the Savoy Theater in Glace Bay which for Glace Bay was a pretty big deal. Though not entirely surprising. The Writer / Director Daniel Petrie was born in Glace Bay.

The CBC had aired this movie many times over the years. So it is quite possible it will air again. Luckily I still have a copy on tape. I've seen copies in the video store (not on DVD mind you - although it very well may be on DVD by now - I am not sure).

A must see. Amazon.ca has the VHS listed.