Borstal Boy (2001)

A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

BORSTAL BOY is a thoughtful prison drama based on the true-life experiences of Irish poet Brendan Bahen. The story is a political and reflective one in which Bahen, then part of the IRA, is captured by the authorities during WW2 and sent to live at a borstal in hated England. While there he discovers that the enemy are not all that they seem and that they might not be so bad after all...Certainly the DVD cover is a piece of blatant false advertising, adorned in barbed wire and featuring a recent photo of Danny Dyer covered in stubble, no doubt from one of his gangster flicks. In actual fact, an incredibly youthful Dyer appears only in support, although his performance as a friendly sailor is a good one. And this isn't your usual tough prison drama at all - although there are elements of the genre here (rape, escape) they're handled in a deliberately sensitive and non-sensationalist way.Throughout the story the human drama is paramount, and thus this proves a fitting reflection of the times in much the same way as a Catherine Cookson TV movie reflects life in the early 20th century north. The only problem I have with it is that Shawn Hatosy's acting is a little wooden.

it took me so long to watch this movie. It is one of the many that stayed on the shelf for months, that I started watching but "didn't feel"...Today was the day I did.Someone wrote "schockingly beautiful", and I can only agree.There was some real chemistry between the main actors (and 1 actress!), and I got sympathy for almost all of them (although the villain played his role very well, too). Not being a native English speaker, I had some problems withe the accents, at times, but sometimes words are not that important, it's the eyes, it's the acts, it's... a lot more than words.Is this a "gay themed movie"? I really don't know. Assuming Brendan Behan was bisexual, you could call it a "coming of age" movie, as USA-ers like to do. I don't know, this was just a very beautiful movie.I didn't know Brendan Behan before, but I shall do some research and try to read him (if I can find his works here in Brussels...).Based on the emotions I felt, this is a magnificent 10/10!

In a British labor camp for lads in 1942, youthful Irish troublemaker Shawn Hatosy (portraying Brendan Behan, upon whose remembrances the film is based) comes-of-age, sharing a bumpy but intense friendship with a gay teenager and timidly romancing a local young lady as well. Curious drama apparently made with the well-intentioned goal to show the burgeoning political activism of a determined man, and how his upbringing molded the figure he was to become, but too many of these boyhood antics are overly familiar (the playful romping on the beach which precedes a tragedy, the sneaky drinking and smoking during movie-time, the somewhat campy play which brings down the house). The acting by the handsome juveniles isn't bad (though the director tends to overdose on their aw-shucks smiles and faraway glances), Michael York--despite seeming a bit tired and distanced from the proceedings--is well-cast as the camp's director, but the point of the relationships is never made clear, the emotional center of the story seems to be missing. Obviously, Behan was not homosexual, though he did greatly admire his friend, yet the struggles of the gay teenager are hardly touched upon--he's treated more like an afterthought in the story rather than an important character--and one aches for more intimacy here, more substance. The film has an effectively washed-out look and has interesting locations, but the drama isn't gripping nor enticing because the handling is so aloof. ** from ****

Although "Borstal Boy" is in my personal Top Ten, right up there with "Casablanca" and "The Last Picture Show," I had to watch it several times before I could totally understand the heavy Irish accents. In a way, that was good, as the film is worth watching several times.The story line takes place in 1941-42, during the darkest days of WWII for the Allies. American born Shawn Hatosy plays the part of Irish poet and writer, Brendan Behan, and does a masterful job in capturing the heavy accent, and the pathos of the era.Charlie Milwall, played beautifully by Danny Dyer, befriends Behan and an intense friendship builds between them. Have a handkerchief ready for the Pearl Harbor newsreel scene. It's a gut wencher, and a pivotal point for Behan. His ties with the IRA won't allow him to fully cooperate with the British operators of the Bostal House (Reform school), but he reluctantly pledges to do so until Hitler is defeated. Many viewers may not be aware that Ireland remained Neutral during WW II, and it is to Ireland that Behan, Millwall and two other 'inmates' determine they must escape. Take your hankie out again, for the beach scene of the escape episode. I'm a grown man, and men aren't supposed to cry. I shed many tears during the film, and was glad the showing room was dark.Eva Birthistle plays her role well as the only female in the movie. The friendship/love relationship between her and Behan is intriguing, and an integral part of the story. She seems to understand all, and to forgive all. For history buffs, and those who love to love, the film is an absolute Must See. Definitely deserves ten stars, despite the thick accents.