Mix-and-match from
the AroVideo archives!
Boy
New Zealand 2010, 87 minutes
Dir. Taika Waititi
Rating: [M]
Genres: Comedy, Drama / Youth
Topics: Rites-of-passage, Period 1980s.
Aroview: Taika Waititi continues his dream run as director with this fictionalised coming-of-age tale that draws on his own experience growing up on the rural East Coast in 1984.
Loosely expanding on his Oscar-nominated short "Two Cars, One Night", this tells the story of two young brothers trying to bond with their irresponsible and long-absent father (played by Waititi himself) who suddenly returns to the family home after a stint in jail. The film is blessed with two superb child performances in both Rolleston and Eketone-Whitu, though by contrast Waititi's patriarch perhaps misses the same level of humility to make this a true heart-breaker.
But he does have a natural, confident rhythm as a film-maker, with an ear for cheeky comedy and an eye for delightful visual asides that so charmed EAGLE VS. SHARK, and the film is similar to that indie gem in more ways than are at first apparent. Here, though, the elements managed to connect with a Kiwi audience broad enough to make it a spectacular locally-produced box-office champ.
Adopt-a-Movie Kindly Adopted by Jennifer & Jon Foreman
Member Reviews
Average rating 
(Very Good). Showing 1-11 of 11 member reviews.
4 stars (Very Good) Not just an exercise in Kiwi nostalgia, this is a brilliant little movie which may have sold itself in the trailer as an all out comedy but proves to be just as much a movie about family and how reality can never live up to our fantasies. ~The Myrka
3 stars (Good Enough) Is this film called "Boy" or "Dad"? Title suggests story to centre around the kid but perhaps someone got sidetracked.. At parts amusing but ultimately sad that the depth of this troubled family runs only ankle high. Little bro Rocky stole the show. ~Baby
4 stars (Very Good) If the young Kiwi brothers in 'Two Cars, One Night' didn't make you laugh or steal your heart, they surely will here. This is a NZ indie classic that deserves your attention. ~Tom H
4 stars (Very Good) Remarkably insightful tale that leaves you with a big smile. Humourous and heartfelt, you're instantly transported back to 1984. A true Kiwi classic. ~GenXGirl
4 stars (Very Good) Funny and affecting. An inspired of examination of the father-son relationship. Eketone-Whitu steals the show as the titular Boy's younger brother. ~Wizzums
0 star (Not rated) ~Anon
5 stars (Exceptional) ~Milana
2 stars (Good Try) It plays well for a while but it really doesn't have enough substance or originality to see out the distance. ~Tubbs
4 stars (Very Good) ~Sarah
5 stars (Exceptional) ~normfilmbuff
5 stars (Exceptional) superb ~Max
Reference Links: BoyFlicks.co.nz film review, BoyNZ On Screen film review.
DVD Features
2-Disc edition includes the short "Two Cars, One Night", Behind-the-scenes w/ commentary, Deleted and Extended Scenes, 'Crazy Horses' music videos.
- audio commentary
- aspect ratio: 16:9
Close Relatives
- Breaker Upperers, The (2018)
- Dark Horse, The (2014)
- Eagle vs Shark (2007)
- Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
- Poi E: The Story of Our Song (2016)
- Pork Pie (2017)
- Whale Rider (2003)
more matches…
| Rental | ||
|---|---|---|
| Blu-Ray | $6 |  |
| DVD (R4) | $6 | |
Prices in $NZD (incl. GST)
Your basket is empty
©2024 AroVideo | Using the Catalogue | Feedback Opens in a new window | Terms of use Opens in a new window | Privacy Policy Opens in a new window | AroVideo on Twitter AroVideo on Facebook
