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Poster for Worried About the Boy

Worried About the Boy

Seen it?

2010 | 90 min | Drama

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With soft box office and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Rocketman, start here.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 30 min.
What might put you off
Nothing much for most grown-ups.

In 1980 young George O'Dowd baffles his parents with his love of frocks and make-up and moves into a squat with kindred spirit Peter, who dresses as Marilyn Monroe and calls himself Marilyn. They make a splash at Steve Strange's trendy Blitz Club where George gets a job in the cloakroom but George is unlucky in his relationships with men until he meets wannabe musician Kirk. Through Kirk George meets the handsome drummer Jon Moss, on whom he develops a crush, but sacked by the Blitz and spurned by Kirk, George turns to Sex Pistols' manager Malcolm McLaren to further his music career. George's spell with McLaren's group Bow Wow Wow is short but fan Mikey North is impressed and asks George to sing in a group he is forming, where George again meets Jon. They will have an affair and the group will become the very successful Culture Club. Four years later, however, hounded by the tabloid press amid stories of his drug addiction, an unhappy George turns to Jon for advice on his future.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 34K people sought it out in the past year, and interest is climbing

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Julian Jarrold

  • Douglas BoothBoy George
  • Mathew HorneJon Moss
  • Francis MageeJerry O'Dowd
  • Richard MaddenKirk Brandon
  • Freddie FoxMarilyn
  • Marc WarrenSteve Strange
  • Mark GatissMalcolm McLaren
  • Jonny BurtRoy Hay
  • Dean FaganMikey Craig
  • Neil ToonRusty Egan