Parents' Guide to

Boy

By Danny Brogan, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Coming-of-age comedy has language, underage drinking, pot.

Movie NR 2012 87 minutes
Boy Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 13+

Based on 2 parent reviews

age 10+

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
age 15+

Adult themes and content

While the film is beautiful, I would strongly recommend this for older teens. The father smokes weed and does questionable things that are definitely for a more mature audience to ponder.

This title has:

Too much drinking/drugs/smoking

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (5):

Written, directed by, and starring Taika Waititi, this is a touching New Zealand coming-of-age comedy drama about Maori life. Boy -- originally released in 2010 -- was only Waititi's second film. But such is the honesty, realism, and humor on display, it's little surprise that he's now one of Hollywood's most sought after filmmakers. The movie also gives Waititi a chance to demonstrate his acting credentials. His portrayal as the hapless Alamein is equal measure hilarious, infuriating, and ridiculous. But it's the debut performance from Rolleston in the titular role that deserves the most praise. So expertly does he articulate his highs and then lows, when he begins to see his father for what he really is, it's hard to believe that not only was this the young actor's first role, but that he was also only cast two days before shooting began.

In amidst the beautiful New Zealand scenery, the film doesn't shy away from the hardships this Maori community face. Poverty, lack of opportunity, and -- though never graphically depicted -- violence are all at play. But so is love, friendship, and family, albeit not in the conventional sense. A beautiful, heart-warming film that will be relatable to teens and will remind anyone older of a time when they too were trying to make sense of the world.

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