Review of The Butcher Boy (1998) by Bobby B — 15 Mar 2011
This disturbing, surreal look at a small-town Irish boy's descent into madness has been seen by far too few people. Neil Jordan directs wonderfully, blending Francie's hallucinations about aliens, the Cold War, and the Virgin Mary and plunging the viewer into his colorful but increasingly disturbed imagination. Also, Eamonn Owens blew me away - he nails Francie's rage and desperate yet unsatisfied need to be loved. This might be the best child performance I have seen, and his sympathetic yet terrifying portrayal of Francie keeps The Butcher Boy from being merely a weird black comedy. It is quite funny at times, but the tragedy and terror makes The Butcher Boy more disturbing than fun.
Up next for Neil Jordan - The Crying Game and Breakfast on Pluto. If they are anywhere near as good as The Butcher Boy, then I'll be pleased.
This review of The Butcher Boy (1998) was written by Bobby B on 15 Mar 2011.
The Butcher Boy has generally received positive reviews.
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