Taika Waititi's rural coming-of-age flick finds most of its success in its believably mundane milieu and the laid-back charm of its young lead characters. The director also portrays a deadbeat dad who at one point asks his son to stop calling him "dad" because it isn't cool and they're "more like bros", asking him to instead call him "Shogun". The fluctuating dynamic between the eponymous boy and his unreliable father is the meat and potatoes of the piece, leading to a constant fluctuation between humour and heartbreak - especially when wishful fantasy contrasts with harsh reality. The picture feels decidedly honest, as realistic as possible in its approach to its material. It's sometimes chucklesome, but never quite as funny as you'd hope; it's sometimes affecting, but never quite as poignant as you'd like. In principle, it's a really solid effort. However, it just doesn't connect with me as much as it perhaps should. It drags a little in places despite its short length and never quite reaches the emotional highs and lows it aims for. Still, 'Boy (2010)' is a solid effort that has plenty of charm to it. The lead performance is notably strong, never feeling forced and actually remaining surprisingly nuanced throughout. The writing is generally good, too, and the flick's improvisational vibe helps its overall grounded atmosphere. It's an entertaining experience for its majority.
Review of Boy
