Boy (2012)
89%RT Audience Score: 86%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Boy possesses the offbeat charm associated with New Zealand film but is also fully capable of drawing the viewer in emotionally.
Boy” is the kind of movie that makes you feel like you’re back in high school, but in a good way. It’s heartwarming, hilarious, and relatable all at once. The young star, James Rolleston, steals the show with his impressive acting skills. Even with its low-budget flaws, the film’s narrative artistry shines through. Director Taika Waititi has created a coming-of-age story that’s both breezy and grounded in relatable drama. It’s a record-breaking hit in its home country of New Zealand, and it’s easy to see why. “Boy” is a must-watch for anyone who wants to feel good and have a good laugh.
Production Company(ies)
Paramount Pictures, Scott Rudin Productions,
Distributor
Paladin
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
TV-MA
Year of Release
2012
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Stereo
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:1h 28m
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:New Zealand
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 2, 2012 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 9, 2013
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring James Rolleston, directed by Taika Waititi, written by Taika Waititi, comedy, drama, New Zealand film, emotional, offbeat charm, box office gross, limited release, producer Ainsley Gardiner, producer Cliff Curtis, producer Emanuel Michael, MPAA rating, critic reviews, reviewed by Cath Clarke, reviewed by John Barber, reviewed by Linda Barnard, reviewed by Sam Adams, reviewed by Tom Long, reviewed by J.R Jones, reviewed by Graeme Tuckett, reviewed by Danny Brogan, reviewed by Kate Rodger, reviewed by Stephen Carty, reviewed by Allan Hunter, reviewed by Jennie Kermode, audience score, James Rolleston as Boy, Te Aho Aho Eketone-Whitu as Rocky, Moerangi Tihore as Dynasty, Cherilee Martin as Kelly, RickyLee Waipuka-Russell as Chardonnay, Guardian review, Globe and Mail review, Toronto Star review, Philadelphia City Paper review, Detroit News review, Chicago Reader review, Stuff.co.nz review, Common Sense Media review, Newshub (NZ) review, Radio Times review, emotional coming of age story, hero worship, father-son relationship, goat, Michael Jackson, Waihau Bay, bag of money, immature hoodlum, scenic, talented actors, fresh, great directing, charismatic characters, top horror movies, MCU movies, renewed and cancelled TV shows, best Netflix series
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Te Aho Aho Eketone-Whitu – Rocky
Taika Waititi – Alamein
Moerangi Tihore – Dynasty
Cherilee Martin – Kelly
RickyLee Waipuka-Russell – Chardonnay
Director(s)
Taika Waititi
Writer(s)
Taika Waititi
Producer(s)
Ainsley Gardiner, Cliff Curtis, Emanuel Michael
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (73) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (64) | Rotten (9)
It’s a disarmingly lovely, big-hearted film, and hilarious in places.
October 13, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Cath Clarke
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
Even the inevitable flaws of the low-budget production are winning, showcasing as they do the narrative artistry that makes Boy so distinctive amid current factory-written studio productions.
July 13, 2012 | Rating: 3/4
John Barber
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
A simple story of coming of age and the bitter failings of hero worship that succeeds thanks to the impressive skills of its young star.
July 12, 2012 | Rating: 2.5/4
Linda Barnard
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
Rolleston’s winning presence doubtless has much to do with the fact that Boy is a record-breaking hit in its home country, but there’s some salt mixed in with the film’s sugar.
May 3, 2012 | Rating: B
Sam Adams
Philadelphia City Paper
TOP CRITIC
“Boy” finds hope, and love, in the oddest corners.
April 27, 2012 | Rating: B+
Tom Long
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
Waititi has reached into his past for a story that belongs to him alone.
April 26, 2012
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
As with all great comedy, there’s some sadness and grit at its core that grounds the laughs in a relatable drama.
September 3, 2021
Graeme Tuckett
Stuff.co.nz
A beautiful, heart-warming film that will be relatable to teens and will remind anyone older of a time when they too were trying to make sense of the world.
May 18, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Danny Brogan
Common Sense Media
It feels like a while since I smiled this wide and felt this good watching any film, kiwi or otherwise.
September 12, 2019 | Rating: 5/5
Kate Rodger
Newshub (NZ)
The film may be slight, but there’s plenty of charm and wit to engage and amuse.
December 21, 2017 | Rating: 3/5
Stephen Carty
Radio Times
[A] breezy coming-of-age story.
October 13, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Allan Hunter
Daily Express (UK)
It’s relentlessly funny but depends in equal part on the charm of its characters and on Boy’s sense of wonder at the world.
October 12, 2017 | Rating: 4.5/5
Jennie Kermode
Eye for Film…
Plot
A New Zealand youth discovers that his father is not the heroic adventurer he imagined him to be in the heartwarming comedy/drama, Boy.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
James Rolleston, who plays the titular character in Boy, was originally cast as an extra and was offered the lead role after a costume fitting.
Taika-Waititi.jpg
