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Boy A

Play trailer Poster for Boy A R 2008 1h 39m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 60 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Freed after a lengthy term in a juvenile detention center, convicted child killer Jack Burridge finds work as a deliveryman and begins dating co-worker Michelle. While out on the road one day, the young Englishman notices a distressed child, and, after reuniting the girl with her family, becomes a local celebrity. But, when a local newspaper unearths his past, Jack must cope with the anger of citizens who fear for the safety of their children.
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Boy A

Boy A

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Critics Consensus

Small in scale but large in impact, Boy A's career making performances (particularly that by star Andrew Garfield) and carefully crafted characters defy judgment and aggressively provoke debate.

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Critics Reviews

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Amy Biancolli Houston Chronicle 09/12/2008
3.5/4
It makes us feel sympathy for the devil. Go to Full Review Christy DeSmith Minneapolis Star Tribune 09/05/2008
3/4
Director John Crowley, a veteran Irish theater director now working in film, is deliberate with every last element of his film. Go to Full Review Kamal Al-Solaylee Globe and Mail 08/29/2008
3/4
Even its structurally weaker moments give Garfield an opportunity to expand on Jack's physical and mental dislocation. Given Boy A's final floating reel, it's an anchoring performance in every sense of the word. Go to Full Review Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site 09/02/2020
Overall, the film is very strong and compassionate. Go to Full Review Kelly Jane Torrance Washington Times 12/13/2018
3/4
Those behind Boy A invite us to ponder whether outrage might also have a statute of limitations. Go to Full Review Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal 09/25/2010
4/4
Andrew Garfield nailed an assignment many actors would avoid or, worse, botch in "Boy A" - embody a grown, traumatized man experiencing emotional honesty, transparent kindness, sexual intimacy and genuine appreciation from others for the first time. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Sophie M Apr 28 I loved it! It was so so super sad but such a beautiful performance from Andrew Garfeild. It is a heavy watch, but is really thought provoking!! See more 03/20/2022 This is a masterclass in acting, directing, and the way it conveys many interesting topics we didn't necessarily think to ask ourselves. The sadness of a wasted youth just washes over me every time I watch it... The movie made me ask so many questions and question my moral stances. A powerful, thought-provoking piece of art. It was clear from this small, intimate movie, that Andrew Garfield is a talented young performer that can evoke the most visceral, yet opposing reactions in a viewer. One of my favorite movies. A hidden gem. See more 06/06/2021 Andrew Garfield stars here in his first film role as a young man freshly released from prison after serving a sentence for his part in a horrific crime committed when he was a child. The film follows his attempts to re-enter and reintegrate with society as he starts his new life as 'Jack'. He is aided by rehabilitation worker Terry, here played by the always excellent Peter Mullan, as they both aim to keep his past history away from public knowledge. This film is challenging and deeply disturbing at times as it explores the psyche of those who commit such atrocities, while also displaying the human side of these people. It shows the positive effect of rehabilitation and poses the question 'does everyone deserve a second chance?'. The overwhelming anxiety of being defined by and never being able to escape past actions hangs over the main character throughout. An underrated gem of British Cinema. See more 04/14/2016 Still trying to decide how I feel about this film... Andrew Garfield is amazing! But if you're going to see a John Crowley film, Brooklyn is the way to go. I'm excited to see what else the director does! See more 02/08/2016 Aunque por momentos se cae y se siente un poco aburrida,esta pelicula logra que le agarremos cariño al personaje principal a pesar de su oscuro pasado.y andrew hace un trabajo excelente See more Jed I 06/10/2015 6.3/10 — "Okay"/"Watchable" See more Read all reviews
Boy A

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Cast & Crew

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John Crowley

Director

Andrew Garfield

Jack Burridge

Peter Mullan

Terry

Katie Lyons

Michelle

Shaun Evans

Chris

Jeremy Swift

Dave

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Boy A

Boy A (2007) Boy A (2007) Katie Lyons and Andrew Garfield in John Crowley's Boy A. Katie Lyons is Michelle in John Crowley's Boy A. Andrew Garfield is Jack in John Crowley's Boy A. Peter Mullan and Andrew Garfield in John Crowley's Boy A. Andrew Garfield is Jack in John Crowley's Boy A. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Freed after a lengthy term in a juvenile detention center, convicted child killer Jack Burridge finds work as a deliveryman and begins dating co-worker Michelle. While out on the road one day, the young Englishman notices a distressed child, and, after reuniting the girl with her family, becomes a local celebrity. But, when a local newspaper unearths his past, Jack must cope with the anger of citizens who fear for the safety of their children.
Director
John Crowley
Producer
Lynn Horsford
Screenwriter
Mark O'Rowe
Distributor
Weinstein Co.
Production Co
Cuba Pictures
Rating
R (Language|Brief Drug Use|Sexuality|Some Disturbing Content)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 23, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$106.4K
Runtime
1h 39m
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