Boy A (2008) Movie Information:

Boy A (2008) Directed by: John Crowley Boy A (2008) Written by: Mark O'Rowe Boy A (2008) Cast: Andrew Garfield, Peter Mullan, Shaun Evans, Katie Lyons

Boy A (2008) U.S. Distributor: The Weinstein Company Boy A (2008) U.K. Distributor: Not available at this time

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Boy A (2008) Synopsis:

"Boy A" is a powerful coming-of-age drama that raises difficult questions about the morals of our times. "Boy A" is a fictional story starring Andrew Garfield (Evening Standard and Critics' Circle theatre awards winner 2006) as Jack. His involvement in the murder of another child means Jack, at 24, has spent most of his young life in juvenile prisons. Released from prison into an unrecognizable adult world, Jack is given a new name, new job, new home; a new life. But anonymity is both a blessing and a curse as Jack has to contend with not being able to tell the people he gets to know, and love, of his true past and the monstrous secret he must keep hidden. The drama also stars acclaimed actor and director Peter Mullan ("The Magdalene Sisters," "Children of Men") as Terry, Jack's care worker and the only person he can really trust. Co-starring Shaun Evans ("Teachers") and Katie Lyons ("Green Wing"), "Boy A" is based on the award-winning novel by Jonathan Trigell, has been adapted for the screen by writer Mark O'Rowe and is directed by John Crowley ("Pinter's Celebration," "Intermission").

Boy A (2008) Movie Review:

Set in Ireland, “Boy A” tells the story of Jack Burridge (Andrew Garfield), a man of a mere 24 when he is released from a 10 year stay in prison. Only referred to as the notorious “boy A” in the media, Jack has been given a chance to start over with a new identity and the help of a caseworker turned friend, Terry (Peter Mullan).
Having spent his teenage years in prison, Jack has barely had the chance to grow up. When put in completely new social situations, he acts more like a naïve young boy than a grown man.
Though Jack is making friends, doing well at work, and even beginning to fall in love with a girl named Michelle (Katie Lyons), pictures and rumors of his criminal past begin to circulate.
It is through flashbacks that the audience begins to discover who Jack Burridge was. Minimalistic yet stunning cinematography laces Jack’s sad past with his awkward, curious, and at times heart-warming present to create a genuine interest in what will become of his future.
Though Jack works hard to conceal his past, soon everyone discovers the truth about Jack. His work fires him, his friends scorn him, and his girlfriend, whom he had so desperately longed to tell the truth to, disappears. His once hopeful future now looks dark and dim.
The story of “Boy A” dares to tell the other side of the story. Through the eyes of a reformed criminal, especially one of such a young age, the audience can start to see how change is possible – it is acceptance from the world that seems unattainable
This film presents an incredible performance by Andrew Garfield. He is both boy and man as his likeable innocence gains the hearts of the audience. Even when his past is revealed, there is an instantly forgivable quality about Jack that only the audience can see.
Other stellar performances come from Taylor Doherty as the extremely troubled young partner in crime, Phillip; and Peter Mullan, who acts almost as a father for Jack as he tries to help him back into the cruel world.
Director Crowley, though telling a mysteriously sad story, was able to maintain a witty and entertaining quality to the film. From Jack’s ecstasy-induced mirrors dance to the awkwardness of losing his virginity, Crowley made watching Jack living an adult life for the first time a completely unique and at times hilarious experience. Garfield grabs the audience by the heart strings with his performance of incredible naivety. You want him to succeed, and you almost forgive him completely before you even know what he did wrong in his past. A likeability that intense is hard to create, yet Crowley and Garfield seemed to have it pinned perfectly.
Intense characters with strong believability guide this film as it plays important and tragic tones in the end. Themes of finality and an unforgiving world make watching this film almost a warning to all viewers. Who Jack has become means nothing to those who were hurt by him. No matter how much he tries, Jack will never escape his past.
Though the ending of the film is of a depressing and hopeless nature, there is a small light that shines through. Jack was given a second chance and he rode it for all it was worth. He found family in Terry, friends at his work, and true love with his girlfriend Michelle. He never experienced love as a child, and though the media ruins the new life he had created, he did get his chance to love and be loved.

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Boy A (2008) review written by: Jillian Lynes