The Boys

The filmmakers of "The Boys" get so deep inside the blamings and self pity of humanity's monsters, you could almost miss the culpability of the ineffectual women who enable them to grow up into walking catastrophes. The events of this film, set off by the first day of parole for angry young headcase Brett Sprague, lead to a decision so horribly wrong-headed and repellent, that a suspended moment of nothing but a black screen is one of the most excruciating pregnant pauses in the history of films. Up to this point, there's a kitchen sink drama like almost no other (Gary Oldman's "Nil By Mouth" a close cousin, but not nearly as upsetting) and lacerating performances by the cast and crew - The sound designer gets a deserved opening credit.

It appears that this movie was well appreciated in Australia, but had an abortion of a release here in the US. Now that it's on video, it's one of the best lost gems you're likely to score this year.

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?

This is acting at its best! Although confrontational, "The Boys" serves as a reminder that society is made up of many characters including those less than endearing in "The Boys". Brilliant ensemble acting including a stand out performance by David Wenham gives this movie the edge above the normal urban society story.

The reason I was riveted by this film is because it was so real. And so Australian. I know lots of blokes like Brett Sprague.

In the scene where Brett accuses Nola of calling the cops, Nola turns away from him and Brett says "Hey....hey, look at me." In the nonchalant way he says is more terrifying than if he was yelling at the top of his lungs. You can tell there's something evil festering away inside Brett.

David Wenham puts in one of best performances in Australian cinema. His domineering portrayal of Brett was one of the most chilling I've seen in recent years. I'd rank it alongside the animal presence in "In The Winter Dark" for pure scare value.

This movie is what Australian film is all about. Not cross-dressers going cross country in a bus, or a bunch of idiots having a zany family christmas, or even a full Australian cast falling over themselves because the main star is American.

1998 was a fantasic year for Aussie films, & The Boys was one of the best.

**** out of four.

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.