Borstal Boy (2000)
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45% of critics liked it
(33 reviews) -
65% of users liked it
(1,608 ratings)
Brendan Behan's famous memoir about his troubled youth formed the basis of this drama. Brendan (Shawn Hatosy) is a 16-year-old boy from Ireland who loathes the British and is eager to do something about it. Brendan sails into Liverpool, but is discovered to be carrying the makings of a bomb;… More Brendan Behan's famous memoir about his troubled youth formed the basis of this drama. Brendan (Shawn Hatosy) is a 16-year-old boy from Ireland who loathes the British and is eager to do something about it. Brendan sails into Liverpool, but is discovered to be carrying the makings of a bomb; he's soon placed under arrest and thrown into a borstal (British reform school), where he finds himself surrounded by a collection of tough-as-nails English delinquents. While his political beliefs don't change, Brendan learns to become more tolerant of others as he makes friends with a few of his fellow inmates, including Charlie (Danny Dyer), who dreams of sailing away some day, and Scottish Jock (Robin Laing). Brendan also has to deal with the pains of first love when he becomes infatuated with Liz (Eva Birthistle), the daughter of the school's master (Michael York). Borstal Boy marked the film debut of stage director Peter Sheridan, the brother of noted Irish filmmaker Jim Sheridan. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Peter Sheridan
- Written By
- Peter Sheridan, Nye Heron
- Genres
- Art House & International, Drama
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Mar 1, 2002 Wide
- Studio
- Strand Releasing
Critic Reviews
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Janice Page, Boston Globe
Dripping with cliche and bypassing no opportunity to trivialize the material.
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Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
Hatosy establishes himself here not only as the bona fide star of this little ensemble film, but also as a talent to be watched.
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Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Takes a clunky TV-movie approach to detailing a chapter in the life of the celebrated Irish playwright, poet and drinker.
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Misha Berson, Seattle Times
Well-made but mush-hearted.
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Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
A film that will probably please people already fascinated by Behan but leave everyone else yawning with admiration.
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