Boy (2012)

87% of critics liked it
(60 reviews)
87% of users liked it
(2,817 ratings)

The year is 1984, and on the rural East Coast of New Zealand "Thriller" is changing kids' lives. Inspired by the Oscar nominated Two Cars, One Night, Boy is the hilarious and heartfelt coming-of-age tale about heroes, magic and Michael Jackson. Boy is a dreamer who loves Michael Jackson. He lives… More The year is 1984, and on the rural East Coast of New Zealand "Thriller" is changing kids' lives. Inspired by the Oscar nominated Two Cars, One Night, Boy is the hilarious and heartfelt coming-of-age tale about heroes, magic and Michael Jackson. Boy is a dreamer who loves Michael Jackson. He lives with his brother Rocky, a tribe of deserted cousins and his Nan. Boy's other hero, his father, Alamein, is the subject of Boy's fantasies, and he imagines him as a deep sea diver, war hero and a close relation of Michael Jackson (he can even dance like him). In reality he's "in the can for robbery". When Alamein returns home after 7 years away, Boy is forced to confront the man he thought he remembered, find his own potential and learn to get along without the hero he had been hoping for. -- (C) Official Site

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Taika Waititi
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 2, 2012 Limited
Studio: Paladin Films

Critic Reviews

Tom Long, Detroit News
"Boy" finds hope, and love, in the oddest corners.
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
Waititi has reached into his past for a story that belongs to him alone.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
A film like this would have little chance without the right casting, and James Rolleston is so right as Boy, it's difficult to imagine anyone else.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Boy is a charmer, a funny and affecting coming-of-age story rendered with heart, and with nuttiness.
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic
"Boy" is a delightful discovery, a charming little film about fathers, sons, New Zealand and Michael Jackson.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
It's serious stuff, but with a veneer of cheeky comedy.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
A performer and comedian before becoming a filmmaker, Waititi uses his comic sensibilities to keep Boy from becoming mawkish or clichéd. He has created a coming-of-age tale that is truly original.
Mike Russell, Oregonian
Waititi does a nice tonal juggling act, balancing eccentric characters, a 1980s setting, child-drawn animation and Maori-inflected restagings of Michael Jackson videos with the painful consequences of parental neglect.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
This is a good-natured, goofy and often charming little coming-of-age comedy that is bright, light and fun.
Dustin Putman, DustinPutman.com
Homegrown though it often feels, the film is hurt by a distinct lack of budget; how else to explain why "Thriller," or any song at all by Michael Jackson, never appears?
Peter Keough, Boston Phoenix
Funny and touching at times, but a little bit of Dad goes a long way.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
The storytelling is far from standard, from the endearingly eccentric characterizations and performances to match to the whimsical, sometimes surreal tone.
Laura Clifford, Reeling Reviews
From its pop culture addicted populace...to the exploits Boy imagines for his dad (deep sea diver, war hero, friend of Jackson) depicted by animations of Rocky's crayon drawings, "Boy" charms.
John Hartl, Seattle Times
"Boy," from New Zealand, has its charms, most of them to do with Boy, an 11-year-old pop-culture enthusiast who's obsessed with Michael Jackson and moonwalking.
Ron Wilkinson, Monsters and Critics
Taika Waititi's journey into the heart and soul of an 11-year-old boy in New Zealand will take you back, regardless of your country.
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
Their hopeful, honest faces outweigh the dialogue.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
The children here are both remarkable, not relying on cuteness, but allowed to remain children, with the pain that brings alongside the pleasure.

Read all 17 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

EightThirty .

11/06/2010 (CINEMAS) I'm not sure if audiences outside New-Zealand will relate to this but for those who grew up in New-Zealand like myself, well, we will get a kick out of this. Although it is humorous, there are elements that keep the movie in check and remind us that its not… More
11/06/2010 (CINEMAS) I'm not sure if audiences outside New-Zealand will relate to this but for those who grew up in New-Zealand like myself, well, we will get a kick out of this. Although it is humorous, there are elements that keep the movie in check and remind us that its not always going to be funny, that sometimes we need to be serious about stuff. The film is based around the 80's, so check out New-Zealand and New-Zealanders before "Lord of the Rings" found us a spot on the map.
Sheldon C

Heartfelt, funny, and sweet, BOY is a great film about a child's transformation into a man; a film that takes the familiar story of when a boy finally realizes the unmet expectations of his flawed father who had been firmly idolized and placed upon a pedestal that is now… More
Heartfelt, funny, and sweet, BOY is a great film about a child's transformation into a man; a film that takes the familiar story of when a boy finally realizes the unmet expectations of his flawed father who had been firmly idolized and placed upon a pedestal that is now collapsed, and injects it with a narrative that is well-cast, well-acted, and steadily-paced. Never feeling too cheesy, Taika Waititi's film - Waititi both stars and directs - is genuine and natural, filled with subtle moments of humor that are ingeniously placed as well as a particular New Zealand accent that is simply fun to listen to.
Movee C

Good script, talented actors, and plenty of laughs. Boy is entertaining and fresh. Great directing and acting from Taika Cohen. The characters are so charismatic, you can't help but be drawn in. Boy is this movie good.