Review of Boy A (2008) by Christine C — 26 Jun 2008

One of the most powerful movies to hit the big screen lately is Boy A, a brilliant film courtesy of our friends in the UK and based on the novel by Jonathan Trigell. Boy A made the circuit of the film festivals, including the Tribeca Film Festival this spring and garnered rave reviews across the board.

Jack (Andrew Garfield) is encumbered with a secret that could shatter his world apart. As a child, he is involved in a heinous crime which cost him a dozen plus years in juvenile prison following a highly publicized trial. When he is released, he is given a new identity, a pair of Nike Escape sneakers and the start at a new life, thanks to his caseworker / probation officer Terry (Peter Mullan). With the shyness and hesitation of a lonely adolescent, Jack begins to create a life for himself with a place to stay, a job, a kind group of friends and even a lovely girlfriend, thanks to his hard work and the help of Terry, who is more a father than he is to his own son. Jack and his co-worker even save a little girl following a car accident, making him a local hero. Just as everything is looking up, a series of twists and turns threatens it all and forces the audience to look at how we view second chances in the world. This is the breakout performance for young Andrew Garfield, who has recently worked on Lions for Lambs and is poised for a lengthy career. Boy A is visually stunning and an emotional thrasher that will stay with you long after the last credit has rolled.