Boy A

A very interesting work. Interesting in the purest sense of the word. The ease and authenticity with which the whole story is conceived is fabulous and if the familiar "less is sometimes more" applies at all, it applies doubly in the case of this film. The minimalist approach in its interconnectedness (and, it must be said, in truly perfect harmony) with a topical, serious, and dramatic subject is also one of the ways to "make a great film". When you add to this the setting of the UK (which is perfect for such themes and human fates) and the fact that there is practically not a single weak spot in the whole film, something comes out that definitely deserves attention. You could certainly argue that the story "alone" is so strong that the result simply can't be bad at all. For me, that's about fifty percent true, because even an above-average script with a more than generous budget can be screwed up (as we all know). But here, an immensely powerful story goes hand in hand with perfectly evocative direction, a deeply human and heartfelt performance from Andrew Garfield, and remarkable humanity from the other characters. Another film in the drama category of which the Brits can be very proud. (21/09/2011)

Exactly what I expected. An independent humanitarian film with clever camera. Otherwise, it's cliché on top of cliché. It's clear how the film will end after five minutes, a little boy will beat up three bullies ten years his senior, a girl at work will immediately show an unending interest in the weirdest and most retarded dude around, and it doesn't end well. Classic, boring. Fortunately, the film manages to conjure up an uncomfortably paranoid atmosphere at times, and the touching tragedy at the end is watchable. (02/12/2010)

A personal and appropriately raw account of a boy convicted for murder who, after completing his adult sentence, struggles to integrate into normal life, plagued by psychological problems and dilemmas. The first half is great, with excellent editing and camera work, lots of hints and ambiguous answers. The second half is a bit more predictable and unnecessary slower. It still keeps the dramatic line pretty decently high, though, and Garfield can also be brilliant, delivering a strong performance in a non-mainstream flick. (15/07/2017)

Not many people know that the film story has a real counterpart in a real criminal case that caused a sensation throughout Britain at the time. Two boys on the brink of puberty, still in their boyhood, brutally stabbed their peer, and the verdict of the British court at the time shocked public opinion outside of Britain, as the court sent both perpetrators to a decent number of years in prison. I get the feeling that it was a greater punishment than an adult offender for murder would receive back home. Nothing can be criticized about the subject; it is about nothing less than the fact that anyone who makes a mistake should have a chance to start again. Nothing can be criticized about the form either; it is well-thought-out and cleverly narrates the story so ambiguously that it is not clear until the very last moment what actually happened in the past, and the viewer is skillfully kept in suspense. However, it is necessary to note that in terms of content, the director manipulates the viewer in an inappropriate way in favor of his protagonist. It is hard to believe that this gentle and cultivated boy has many years of imprisonment behind him when he could be doing something for the Salvation Army immediately. In terms of type, Andrew Garfield, who could convincingly portray a homosexual or a refined intellectual, simply does not fit the role of a boy who mercilessly beats up two guys without difficulty. Nonetheless, it is still a convincing 4 stars, and my overall impression is 75%. (03/01/2013)

I didn't expect to be entertained by a regular drama like this. Andrew Garfield gives an admirable performance in his first role, playing a shy boy struggling with the present, who is also haunted by his past sins. Sad, depressing, engaging and well acted. A quality film in every way. Story****, Action>No, Humor>No, Violence>No, Entertainment****, Music***, Visuals****, Atmosphere****, Suspense**. 8/10. (25/09/2020)