Tell me a story

It’s 1984 in Waihau Bay, New Zealand. E.T. has just come out, Michael Jackson is at the peak of popularity, and an 11-year-old boy named Boy is just being an 11-year-old boy—playing with his friends, trying to impress girls, and getting into fights. He lives with his 6-year-old brother, Rocky, his grandmother, and several younger cousins. His mom has passed, and his dad is away. Where? Well Boy likes to think he’s out fighting in wars and doing exciting things in far off places, but rumor has it that he’s really in jail.

The story really begins when the absentee father, Alemain, returns to the boys’ lives. Boy is immediately awe-stricken by the appearance of the man he’s spent years building up in his mind, and Alemain is more than happy to perpetuate those fantasies. But we, the audience, recognize the prison tattoos covering him. We know there’s not as much to this man as Boy imagines. Rocky, naturally quiet, is more reserved with Alemain, never fully embracing the man he’s never known.

Boy is an instantly likeable kid, and because of that I wanted him to see Alemain for what he really is, but at the same time because I liked him I didn’t want to see him disappointed. The look of pure adoration he has as he watches his father is so sweet. When Alemain first returns, and Boy realizes this is the dad he’s never known, Boy says, “Whoa.” It’s the kind of sound reserved for meeting an idol, the same sound we imagine Boy would make if he met Michael Jackson. In fact there are a couple of absolutely touching scenes where Boy is watching his father, but instead of seeing the reality of the moment, he visualizes Alemain as Michael Jackson reenacting Michael Jackson music videos, thus merging his two heroes. It’s the highest compliment he can give to his father. It’s almost heart-breaking because the audience knows that even the best dad could hardly live up to those standards. We know disappointment is inevitable. And maybe the sooner the better, because being under Alemain’s influence has is causing Boy to distance himself from his friends, to engage in criminal behavior, and to be more of a jerk, especially with Rocky, who at times Boy sees as a burden and other times as a competitor for Alemain’s attention.

Rocky (Te Aho Aho Eketone-Whitu)

Rocky is an interesting character. He’s quiet, stand-offish, spends a lot of free time drawing, wishing he had super-powers and visiting his mother’s grave. You can sort of predict he will lead a quiet, thoughtful and somewhat somber life. You probably would too if your older brother casually threw it in your face that you’re the reason your mother died. (She died giving birth to Rocky.) Boy doesn’t bring it up to hurt Rocky, but he’s also not hesitant to point it out. Still, Rocky is a funny and sweet kid, and you hope that sometime soon he’ll get more positive attention. Boy, who is responsible for him when their Grandmother’s not around, is not a good parent to him, nor should he have to be. It’s not his fault, yet it’s still sad.

Overall, it’s a sweet and moving coming of age movie that brings to mind last year’s Win Win. Both are warm family stories that involve lost children and struggling adults. Both beg the question: what makes a boy a boy and a man a man? Also, in both cases they work so well because the characters work so well. The characters in Boy are believable and compelling, and the writing is so well done and true to character that you don’t even notice it. I haven’t even mentioned how funny it is. Most of that humor comes from Alemain, played by director Taika Waititi. He gives a great performance as this overgrown manchild, who’s every bit the fantasizer as Boy and Rocky. He may not have been around to raise them, but they’re definitely his kids.

Rocky (Te Aho Aho Eketone-Whitu), Boy (James Rolleston) and Alemain (Taika Waititi)

So there you have it. See this film when you can. Especially if you’ve been missing the sound of the New Zealand accent since Flight of the Conchords ended.

Boy
Director and Writer: Taika Waititi (Eagle vs. Shark, Flight of the Conchords)

via YouTube by eastcoastcrazyhorses