Audience Member
Jack, a social services worker, spends a great deal of his time being the caretaker and friend of four mentally challenged men who live together and do their very best to live normal everyday lives. Norman (Nathan Lane), a man obsessed with donuts and keys, Arnold (Michael Jeter), an man who speaks of Russia more than most Russians probably do, Lucien (Courtney B. Vance), a man who loves Spider-Man, and Barry (Robert Sean Leonard), a man who remains convinced that he is a pro golfer, are the inhabitants of a home where Jack is a frequent visitor and it is these four men who make up The Boys Next Door. Due to the mental state of the group, they face challenges of acclimating to everyday society all the while doing so with their smiling and goodhearted nature. Director John Erman's, The Boys Next Door shows its audiences that the only real difference that separates the mentally challenged from the rest of society is the latter's inability to see these individuals for whom they real are.
The Boys Next Door, based on Tom Griffin's stage play of the same name, succeeds wonderfully in its goal of showing society the true individuals that inhabit these mentally challenged men. Sadly, we live in a society where individuals with mental challenges are often seen as individuals of lesser importance. This all too common attitude is subtly seen when a new family moves in next door and displays what one may call a less than comfortable attitude. However, Jack, played by Tony Goldwyn, sets a fine example in showing how to treat those with mental impairments and does a beautiful job showing how Jack himself really sees his friends. When Norman, played by Nathan Lane, and Sheila, a mentally challenged woman played by Mare Winningham, begin to awkwardly dance during a party, the audience sees Norman and Sheila as a pair of skilled and artful dancers. This is not how Norman and Sheila actually dance, but rather how Jack sees them dancing and thus shows Jack's compassion for the mentally challenged whom he loves so much. The film's ability to show Jack's feelings toward these men is perhaps the strongest element of the film.
Another tremendous area where the film excels is in its performances. While there are no performances that stand out as bad performances in the picture, the performances of Nathan Lane and Robert Sean Leonard stand out as particularly strong. Nathan Lane, also famous for his roles in The Lion King and The Birdcage, gives a memorable performance as Norman. Norman, a man who loves both keys and donuts, shows a particularly loving aspect of his personality in his relationship with Sheila. Norman and Sheila show great nervousness when being around each other and at times seem unsure how to go about interacting, but their unconditional affection toward each other is unquestionable. This affection is the same unconditional affection that many mentally challenged people exhibit towards those whom they come into contact with in the real world. Robert Sean Leonard, also famous for his roles in the television show House M. D. and for the film Dead Poets Society, gives another strong performance of the film as Barry. Barry, who believes himself to be a pro golfer, is the highest functioning member of the group, but has clear father issues from his past that he has never been able to overcome. Barry's relationship with his father highlights the type of attitude that many individuals with mental handicaps have to endure on a daily basis. Barry's regrettably sad story is one that is too often seen in society.
One strong attribute of The Boys Next Door is its script. While the script does seem as though it would lend itself better to its originally intended stage performance rather than its film adaptation, overall, the script functions well in its current form. The script is lively, humorous and thankfully is free of clichés and utterly predictable situations. Despite the film's strong attributes, it is not a film that has etched its way into our society the way films that deal with similar issues have managed to do. Forrest Gump the Best Picture Winner from acclaimed director Robert Zemeckis and Barry Levinson's Rain Man another Best Picture Winner, both films where the main character suffers from a mental impairment, have garnered a following that remains strong to this day. However, had The Boys Next Door been a film that appeared in movie theaters as opposed to being a TV movie it may have gained a greater level of success.
The Boys Next Door is a humorous and touching film about the situations that face the mentally challenged. The film achieves its goal of showing the audience that they need to look at the mentally challenged as individuals who are not defined by their handicaps. The Boys Next Door features an array of prominent performers who ensure that their characters are played with the fervor they deserve, as well as an above average script that hits its laughs and its touching moments with the fine form.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/02/23
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Audience Member
Mental illness has never been quite so hilarious.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/21/23
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Audience Member
Very cheesy and dated. Good performaces, but more like "after school special" than "film I would take seriously".
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
01/12/23
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Audience Member
One of the only Hallmark movies worth watching. An excellent cast gives endearing, funny and tragic performances.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/09/23
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Audience Member
Its a hard movie to find, but I love it!
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/04/23
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Audience Member
This is a great movie!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/16/23
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