DVD Review: 'Boy', Directed by Taika Waititi

Boy has a certain charm about it that some coming-of-age stories lack. The film is smart, witty, funny, and also carries a depth to it that makes it a worthwhile watch. And although its release in New Zealand came a few years ago, it’s just finding its way into U.S. markets. Taika Waititi, who also directed the now cult hit Eagle vs. Shark, brings his fine-tuned script to life with a great cast and wonderful execution.

In 1984 New Zealand, a boy named Boy, played by James Rolleston, (although his real name is Alamein) is the eldest of his family—made up of his brother Rocky, played by Te Aho Aho Eketone-Whitu, and several of his cousins. His grandmother leaves them alone for a couple of weeks and Boy is in charge of making sure there’s food on the table and so on. Obsessed with Michael Jackson and intent on getting with one of the girls at school, Boy is more than excited when his father Alamein (Taika Waititi) comes back town after years of silence.

Boy is ecstatic that he gets to see and hang out with his dad after so long, the reintroduction coming almost as if they are long lost friends. His brother Rocky, sometimes pushed aside and withdrawn, is a little more wary of his father and doesn’t warm up to him like Boy does. Alamein, on the other hand, doesn’t come back for his children, but rather to pick up the money he desperately needs, buried in an unmarked part of the field out back. The story eventually leads all the characters to discovery and a realistic sense of growing up and facing the world.

The film still withstands the test of time, even a couple of years after its initial release. Taika Waititi writes and directs the film with a deft hand. Waititi knows what he wants to bring to the audience, the story he wants to tell, and it immediately shows in his work. A lot of the intricacies and small touches he adds makes the film unique and stand out. One of the best aspects of the film is the moving drawings that sometimes split the scenes. Waititi pulls double duty as one of the lead actors and director for the film, but he never takes away from Rolleston’s time to shine.

Rolleston is an excellent lead. A lot of times, you will forget that you’re watching a child actor because this kid has so much range. He plays a character that goes through several stages and emotions like it’s nothing at all. Anger, excitement, adolescent attitude and indignation all reflect in the eyes and face of Rolleston so well. It’ll be nice to see his career take shape in the future.

The coming-of-age story is retold in a way that sees everything told through the eyes of a kid who has a lot of hope and dreams for his life and future. He faces disappointment with the illusion he has created for himself and ultimately faces the reality of his life and comes to a certain level of maturity in light of the situations he finds himself in. Boy is well told, crazy in the best way, funny and deep. The beginning and the extra scene at the end of the film are laugh-out-loud funny. A stand out for Waititi, and if you can get your hands on the new DVD or Blu-ray American release, then it’s definitely worth watching.