Rent Boy (2010)
3.7 of 5 from 167 ratings
1h 28min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
The year is 1984, and on the rural East Coast of New Zealand, Thriller is changing kids lives. Inspired by the Oscar nominated Two Cars, One Night, 'Boy' is the hilarious and heartfelt coming-of-age tale about heroes, magic and Michael Jackson. Boy (James Rolleston) is a dreamer who loves Michael Jackson. He lives with his brother Rocky (Te Aho Eketone-Whitu), a tribe of deserted cousins and his Nan. Boy's other hero, his father, Alamein (Taika Waititi), is the subject of Boy's fantasies, and he imagines him as a deep sea diver, war hero and a close relation of Michael Jackson (he can even dance like him). In reality Alamein is an inept, wannabe gangster who has been in jail for robbery. When Alamein returns home after seven years away, Boy is forced to confront the man he thought he remembered, find his own potential and learn to get along without the hero he had been hoping for. - Actors:
- James Rolleston, Taika Waititi, Moerangi Tihore, Te Aho Eketone-Whitu, Cherilee Martin, RickyLee Waipuka-Russell, Haze Reweti, Maakariini Butler, Rajvinder Eria, Manihera Rangiuaia, Darcy Ray Flavell-Hudson, Rachel House, Waihoroi Shortland, Cohen Holloway, Pana Hema Taylor, Tuhoro Ranihera Christie, Craig Hall, Mavis Paenga, Ngapaki Emery, Ngaru-toa Puru
- Directors:
- Taika Waititi
- Producers:
- Cliff Curtis, Ainsley Gardiner, Emanuel Michael
- Writers:
- Taika Waititi
- Studio:
- Vertigo
- Genres:
- Comedy, Drama
- Countries:
- New Zealand
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Reviews (1) of Boy
Australian Comedy Drama - Boy review by GI
A funny and poignant coming-of-age comedy from director Taika Waitita. Set in rural east coast New Zealand in 1984 where Boy (James Rolleston) grows up on a tatty farm raised by his Gran and with his brothers and sisters. He's obsessed with Michael Jackson until his absentee father, Alamein (Waitita), shows up and Boy, lacking a male model, begins to hero worship him. But Alamein is a narcissistic man/child who thinks himself a big gang leader but is a totally pathetic individual. The film has much of Waititi's trademark storytelling including imaginary scenes and his bizarre comedy characters. There's no doubt it's partly autobiographical (Waititi also wrote the screen story) and manages to capture the culture and time in NZ in the mid 80s. Entertaining and watchable especially if you're a fan of this director and his comedy style.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.