The Boy: Blu-ray Review
Arriving on Blu-ray this week is Craig William Macneill’s “The Boy” (not to be confused with last month’s wide release, “The Boy” from William Brent Bell). Because both films are fairly new and have the same title and directed by men named William, it could be easy to get them confused. The big difference between the two films is that this one is really good and the other one is not good at all.
Set in the summer of 1989 the mountains of the American West, John Henley (David Morse) and his nine-year-old son Ted (Jared Breeze) are the proprietors of the Mt. Vista Motel. A run down resort with an amazing view, but almost no customers. John is desperate for business to pick up, but he has very little hope of that happening. Ted however has his own set of horrific issues. He has developed an interest in killing animals. Death has him curious.
After Ted sets a trap to take out a deer, he winds up causing a car accident in front of the motel which brings in mysterious drifter, William Colby (Rainn Wilson). Ted is drawn to William, but to the displeasure of John. As the tension builds at the motel, Ted’s fascination with death manifests beyond killing animals.
Macneill adapted “The Boy” from the novel by Clay McLeod Chapman with such quiet intensity and the amazing performance by Breeze really grips you. Although known more for his comedic work, Wilson does a fantastic job playing is serious and his character is multiple layers to work with. Morse has always been solid and here is no exception.
“The Boy” is really something terrific and has quite a few moments of real uneasiness. The scene when and enraged Ted enters the chicken coup and kicks a chicken repeatedly to death is really tough to watch, even if we don’t actually see the chicken. The film’s climax has a similar effect on Ted’s victims. You don’t see his prey, but you can hear the screams. This one is definitely worth checking out.
By: Marc Ferman