Audience Award (Best Feature Film)
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Boy2010
During summer break in 1984, eleven-year-old Michael Jackson fanatic "Boy" (James Rolleston) has the adventure of his life. With his mother dead and father AWOL, Boy becomes the head of a household full of kids when his Nana leaves town for a funeral. It starts as just another few weeks of fruitless pining for classmate beauty Chardonnay (RickyLee Waipuka-Russell), but then his Dad (writer-director Taika Waititi, EAGLE VS. SHARK) rolls up in a vintage car with his Crazy Horses gang, and Boy's life turns upside down. There are treasure hunts, fistfights and falling-outs, as Boy grapples to learn why his Dad left the family so long ago. Waititi adopts a fanciful deadpan tone that's part Wes Anderson and part Flight of the Concords (for which Waititi directed), complete with child-like animations and hilarious re-enactments of Michael Jackson music videos.
Recognition
What makes this film worth watching?
"...a particular home-turf hit, with its crowdpleasing yet bittersweet tale of an 11-year-old Waihau Bay lad whose love of all things Michael Jackson-related allows him an escape from some unpleasant immediate realities." - Dennis Harvey, Keyframe
3 members like this review
A great watch that lifted a sour mood. Especially enjoyed the scene where the two brothers confront their father side by side, in their own ways--one with a sparkler and touch on the head, the other with fists.
top reviewer
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Starring
- Maakariini Butler - Murray
- Manaia Callaghan - Miria
- Tainui Callaghan - Kiko
- Te Aho Aho Eketone-Whitu - Rocky
- Ngapaki Emery - Mum
- Rajvinder Eria - Tane
- Darcy Ray Flavell-Hudson - Holden
- Craig Hall - Mr. Langston
- Pana Hema-Taylor - Juju
- Cohen Holloway - Chuppa
- Waimihi Hotere - Teacher
- Rachel House - Aunty Gracey
- James Rolleston - Boy
- Moerangi Tihore - Dynasty
- Taika Waititi - Alamein
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Member Reviews (13)
top reviewer
A great watch that lifted a sour mood. Especially enjoyed the scene where the two brothers confront their father side by side, in their own ways--one with a sparkler and touch on the head, the other with fists.
3 members like this review
Fantastic Movie...puts you in little kid's position to cope with an image of what he remember about his dad and the reality of the lose canon that he is presented with and has to deal with.
Great scenery
1 member likes this review
top reviewer
not total 5 but pretty dam close_boy is mostly magic_all of the kids are beautiful & great_some of it is so funny_some a bit painful_but it's a super great fantasy
Simply excellent. A must watch film for all lovers of this genre.
Sweet movie
An unexpected find. Totally enjoyed it. Watch ALL the way through to the end.
Lots of Wes Anderson vibes. I loved it!
A rare film that isn't trying to be cute or sentimental, yet at the same time has plenty of laughs and moments that have great emotional depth. In addition it has a visual style that is distinct. I also love the many moments Taika Waititi turns on our expectations of the scene and ends up being two steps ahead of the audience. This is the perfect Taika Waititi introductory film. It is beyond me why this movie didn't get a bigger release in the U.S.
I love it. I guess one could say that the movie suffers a tad from pacing but I don't mind spending the time in this world created by Taika Watiti. The main character is fully realized and the rest of the cast does a fantastic job.
I saw the short film this was developed from, Two Cars One Night, years ago at a film festival. I love what they did with it in this full-length version. This is a magical film. A true delight.
Charming and well-acted, with dialogue that feels authentic. Agree with Fandor that this has a 'fanciful deadpan tone' that suggests Wes Anderson, but isn't steeped in zany.
A charming movie consistently presented from the perspective of two endearing brothers surviving through anything their crazy family that life throws at them. And great music!
Oh my God, so beautiful!