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IMDbPro

Best Boy

  • 1979
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
704
YOUR RATING
Best Boy (1979)
BiographyDocumentary

In this documentary, the director follows the day-to-day activities of his mentally ill, middle-aged cousin Philly, over a three-year period.In this documentary, the director follows the day-to-day activities of his mentally ill, middle-aged cousin Philly, over a three-year period.In this documentary, the director follows the day-to-day activities of his mentally ill, middle-aged cousin Philly, over a three-year period.

  • Director
    • Ira Wohl
  • Writer
    • Ira Wohl
  • Stars
    • Ira Wohl
    • Philip Wohl
    • Zero Mostel
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    704
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Ira Wohl
    • Writer
      • Ira Wohl
    • Stars
      • Ira Wohl
      • Philip Wohl
      • Zero Mostel
    • 9User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 4 wins & 2 nominations total

    Photos4

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    Top cast7

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    Ira Wohl
    • Self
    Philip Wohl
    • Self
    • (as Philly Wohl)
    Zero Mostel
    Zero Mostel
    • Self
    Christine O'Connor
    • Self
    Frances Reiss
    • Self - Philly's Sister
    Max Wohl
    • Self
    Pearl Wohl
    • Self
    • Director
      • Ira Wohl
    • Writer
      • Ira Wohl
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews9

    7.8704
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    Featured reviews

    8DukeEman

    Let's cheer Philly on.

    Heartfelt doco on a 52 year old retarded man, Philly, whose parents have kept him to themselves. This doco explores Philly's new life as he makes contact with the outside world and the relationship he has with his parents who both pass away during the making of this doco.
    10tangyjane112

    I loved this documentary!

    I have lost count of the number of times I have watched this documentary. I rarely buy movies and yet this one I feel I have to have at my disposal for some reason. It touches a spot so deep in my soul I want to be sure I can always access that spot. I fell in love with all involved, including the gruff father.....who eventually allows his sweetness to show when he is too weak to fight it. I would not be surprised to hear that this documentary was added to your list of favorites as well.
    10ahaldema

    Excellent

    This is an excellent film about the heartbreaking as well as the inspirational decisions that can and need to be made in life. Pearl's emotions (her happiness and especially her heartbreak) and the way they are captured not only by Wohl but by McDonough make this film a true masterpiece. I would recomend this to anyone, and its sad to see it has such a low rating on the database.

    "Best Man", however, was not such an incredible film, and only when it is shown in conjunction with "Best Boy" could it garner any merit. The first fifteen minutes in particular seem to present Wohl as incredibly egocentric given the topic and situation of the film, and I truly wish I had not seen them.
    the_paul78

    Here, Here!

    "Good show old boy!" Enough of my lame English accent. Just wanted to support the movie commentary with a good old "three cheers" for this film. It is BRILLIANT.

    If there is a rule to making an excellent film, it exists in his project.

    If there were any guidelines on how to make a remarkable movie, it is found here, in Best Boy. Let's watch and learn here. OK, that's it. Thanks IMDb. Thank you for taking an interest in this fine film. Now I go back to commenting on Resident Evil 2, which is pure fly crap in comparison to Best Boy. Can I say that? Why am I talking to myself?
    9contactseth-1

    Are You into Film? Or to educate your family?

    After watching this documentary on Zero, a 45 year-old man, with a disability, who must learn how to take care of himself, before his parents, the ones who always took care of zero up until today, dies. A film maker, like myself, thrives, to watch documentaries, this documentaries gave good information on how to do a good documentary. If your looking for a way to educated your children, or change the Way your family thinks, renting this 104 minute movie, will blow them away. it teaches you how the "outcasts" or the "Special needed people," have feeling, even though they are different. It really makes you think about your life, and how you should take life for granted. Zero, works hard to change his way of life, and the most difficult challenges, he faces, and though they are tough, Zero, overcomes them, with a shocking and special story to go with it.

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Quotes

      Max Wohl: I'm hungry.

      Pearl Wohl: So eat.

      Max Wohl: I'm eating.

    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: French Postcards/The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh/The Marriage of Maria Braun/The Rose/Best Boy (1979)
    • Soundtracks
      If I Were a Rich Man
      Written by Jerry Bock

      Performed by Zero Mostel

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • April 2, 1981 (Australia)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Hebrew
    • Also known as
      • El mejor de los muchachos
    • Filming locations
      • Flushing Meadows Park, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Only Child Motion Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 51 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

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