The Butcher Boy
From the Director of "The Crying Game," "Interview with the Vampire" and "Mona Lisa."
Hailed coast-to-coast as one of 1998's best films! The director of The Crying Game and Interview with the Vampire crafts this inventive tale of a boy who uses humor, hooliganism and horror to cope with the world around him.
Member Reviews
Fevered Disquiet - Stitch
‘Tis a ride young Francie Brady takes us on and it’s surely not for the youngsters. Those of us who were adults with children in the early sixties well remember the tension of the times and Neil Jordan matches it here with the trajectory of a troubled youth...who has ample cause, I should add. But don’t expect the allegory (there are two) to play out on anything like conventional terms—it’s rife with symbolism and exaggeration. ‘Disturbing’ is the operable mode, with language a tad fragrant but not entirely atypical for the context.
My reaction is repulsion and admiration in equal measure. On reflection, I can posit a Greek tragedy derived from honeymoon myth with voice-over as chorus. But our hero has scant crew; he dominates the screen. And Eamonn Owens deserves every award/nomination for an indefatigable performance; I’m exhausted just observing. He and the director then dump this energy into a mélange of mood swings, often within single episodes, that are quietly unnerving. In fact on second viewing, freed from the delirium of plot anxiety, you will uncover a host of nuances to enjoy. A fine complexity indeed.
Stephen Rea has been around forever it seems; you’ll remember him nominated for an Oscar in ‘The Crying Game’ . Here as Da it’s a lesser role but a critical one; he’s still impressive. As is young Alan Boyle as Joe, and watch for Milo O'Shea in a bit part as the almost-to-be-pitied old Father Sullivan. And we should acknowledge the display of exaggerated characterization throughout; everyone has a jig to dance. Including the Holy Mother.
Which brings us to the score and the settings. Both are graphic and earthy in concert with the grit of the story line. The town is a tad antiseptic for the times and locale but who’s to quibble with all this energy on parade.
Highly recommended for those who appreciate occasional forays into offbeat and disturbing excellence, rendered in extra-expressive hues of behaviour.Wow is pretty much all I can say. - zuma
If you've seen Heavenly Creatures then you'll know what to expect from this film. That's not to say that it's the same film but the idea of childhood attachment turned deadly are very pronounced in both films. I really like Neil Jordan's style for this film it defiantly takes the point of view of the boy's psychological stand point which helps you relate to him more. Although it might seem disturbing at times overall I wouldn't call it a disturbing film and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys adult or at least more mature films about childhood.Great Little Drama. - Jeefster
This one follows a young tough kid with a great command of the English language and a fair sense of sharp wit, through his troubled upbringing and subsequent breakdown.
The movie is full of surprises, with a little humour, a little violence and a lot of dread. To watch this kid deteriorate emotionally and mentally as he copes with an unstable household and loss of friends, family, and his home itself is nothing less than tragic, yet the director portrays this in such a way as to always have us rooting for this unfortunate soul.
A great view of how everything can go wrong for even the little ones, it is still nothing short of fascinating to watch.
A great rental, well worth the watch. Only one problem, the accents are so thick that I found I couldn't watch without having the subtitles on. Otherwise you miss the local slang, and many of these sayings are absolutely priceless. Don't miss this one!
Member Reviews
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Fevered Disquiet - Stitch
‘Tis a ride young Francie Brady takes us on and it’s surely not for the youngsters. Those of us who were adults with children in the early sixties well remember the tension of the times and Neil Jordan matches it here with the trajectory of a troubled youth...who ...Wow is pretty much all I can say. - zuma
If you've seen Heavenly Creatures then you'll know what to expect from this film. That's not to say that it's the same film but the idea of childhood attachment turned deadly are very pronounced in both films. I really like Neil Jordan's style for this film ...Great Little Drama. - Jeefster
This one follows a young tough kid with a great command of the English language and a fair sense of sharp wit, through his troubled upbringing and subsequent breakdown.
The movie is full of surprises, with a little humour, a little violence and a lot of ...