Boy A
Seen it?2008 | 106 min | Crime, Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans. If you loved Boyhood or Spotlight, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 46 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
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, Jack 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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
88% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.1 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 4 BAFTAs: 54th British Academy Television Awards: Best Actor, 9th British Academy Television Craft Awards: Best Director: Fiction, 9th British Academy Television Craft Awards: Best Photography & Lighting: Fiction, 9th British Academy Television Craft Awards: Best Editing: Fiction. Also nominated for 3 more BAFTAs.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$1 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 57K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by John Crowley
- Andrew GarfieldJack Burridge
- Katie LyonsMichelle
- Peter MullanTerry
- Shaun EvansChris
- Siobhan FinneranKelly
- Alfie OwenEric Wilson
- James YoungZeb
- Jeremy SwiftDave
- Taylor DohertyPhilip Craig
- Anthony LewisSteve